The Javanese word cawe-cawe has become a topic of discussion among the people after President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) used it in a political context while meeting with media leaders in Jakarta on May 29, 2023.
"For the sake of the nation and the country, I will do cawe-cawe, in a positive connotation for sure," the President said on the occasion.
He also emphasized that by cawe-cawe he meant that he would not violate the law.
Based on the Great Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), cawe-cawe roughly means to take part in finishing or working on something. As per the dictionary definition, cawe-cawe has a neutral connotation.
The word can have negative, positive, or neutral associations depending on the context in which it is used.
A Javanese language expert and senior journalist, Widiyartono, said that the word has a positive connotation by default as it refers to the action of someone who -- in a certain capacity -- provides help to resolve an issue.
As long as such action does not violate appropriateness and law, cawe-cawe has a positive meaning, he added.
However, in the context of politics, the word can introduce bias, as its definition depends on certain political interests.
The President's use of the word has attracted the attention of many parties since it has come at a time when the remnants of rivalries arising out of public fragmentation and polarization during the 2014 and 2019 presidential elections have not completely been tamed. Moreover, the nation will soon enter the political year of 2024.
Now, the question is: What is the proper way to interpret what the President meant by the word cawe-cawe in the context of political leadership in the coming future?
Just like it is in life in general, welfare efforts for the people must not be halted halfway.
People in a democratic country attach great importance to politics and political systems, particularly political parties, as a means to achieve goals, especially the welfare of citizens.
As the leader of a country with a population of around 276 million, President Widodo has formulated a number of policies to drive Indonesia to become a high-income country.
He said he believes that the construction of infrastructure in a number of regions, especially those outside Java Island, will eventually create new growth hubs for the national economy. In fact, the government's consistency in constructing such infrastructures has started to result in the emergence of new growth centers.
Indonesia is not only aiming to achieve the goal of realizing a high level of economic growth, but also ensuring its equitable distribution. A sound level of interregional connectivity through the land, sea, and air paths is of the essence to realize the goal and evenly distribute its impact among all regions.
President Widodo has revealed that investment achievement in regions outside Java reached 53 percent in 2022. This shows progress, considering that the number of investments in Java was always higher compared to other regions in previous years.
The economic potentials beyond Java are still available and open to be tapped and can be used as fuel for further accelerating economic growth.
The World Bank has issued a classification that groups countries into four categories based on their gross domestic product (GDP) per capita: low-income (US$1,035), lower-middle-income (US$1,03604,045), upper-middle income (US$4,046), and high-income (US$12,535).
Indonesia currently belongs to the category of countries with upper-middle income based on the classification.
With a population spread across islands, Indonesia needs a policy that is far-reaching in nature to create new growth hubs, especially beyond Java, in the hopes of catering equally to the needs of its people at all levels.
It is almost certain that the country will be struck by socioeconomic and development gaps among people and regions, respectively, if it fails to create new growth spots.
Rapid infrastructure development outside Java has provided a foundation for future leaders to expand the new spots in order to stimulate the interregional economy.
On several occasions, President Widodo has highlighted the importance of establishing interregional connectivity to ramp up the economy in the regions.
Such connectivity will, in turn, result in multiplier effects that can help to evenly distribute welfare and prosperity among the people.
However, it should be noted that the needs for the advancement and improvement of welfare are near-endless. With that in mind, future leaders must carry on the development and construction works of their predecessors.
Indonesia is blessed with abundant natural and human resources. Hence, leaders must set a realistic deadline for the target of attaining the status of a high-income country.
Getting out of the middle-income trap
Indonesia has been stuck in the middle-high income category for ages. Taking note of the current progress, President Widodo has expressed the hope that future leaders will be able to bring the country to the level of high-income countries.
In the next 13 years, Indonesia will be in a crucial, yet decisive phase. Furthermore, the period of 10–20 years in the future will be Indonesia's golden momentum to achieve its dream of becoming a high-income country as it will experience a demographic bonus during the period.
Hence, it would be fitting for Indonesia to strive to get out of the middle-income trap in which it has been stuck for a long period of time.
In 2022, Indonesia's GDP per capita was recorded at US$4,784, which put the country in its current income category. To speed up the process of driving Indonesia to reach the high-income category, its leaders must ensure the sustainability of policies that are in favor of high growth and equity.
In that very context, the President has urged future leaders to continue and follow up on the progress and achievements that have been made so far.
Despite his not mentioning any names explicitly, people have expressed the belief that the President's message was addressed to a figure whose name has regularly managed to occupy the top three rankings in several electability surveys.
In order to get a clear background of the President's usage of the word cawe-cawe, it is necessary to pay close attention to his message regarding “a new leader” and “sustainability of policies.”
One may yield effective results through cawe-cawe, if he or she has one or more options or approaches at disposal: personal, ideological, and one of pursuing mutual interests with partners.
This conclusion leads to another question: Who is the figure the President referred to? The Indonesian people’s discussions have been revolving around this question, especially on social media.
Editor : Widodo Suyamto Jusuf
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