National Policies
Politik

National Policies: How Indonsia Presidential Decisions Shape Daily Life (With Real Stories & Hacks!)

Aisyah Nurul

JAKARTA, turkeconom.com – National Policies: How Indonsia Presidential Decisions Shape Daily Life isn’t just a headline in my feed—it’s literally what steers my every day. It’s wild how a single signature from the president can impact your groceries, school routines, or even your weekend plans. I’ve seen this over and over, whether it’s sudden fuel hikes or epic new digital rules rolling out with zero warning.

Every day, Indonesian lives are subtly—and sometimes dramatically—reshaped by national policies set at the very top. From subsidized fuel prices to digital identity cards, presidential decrees and regulatory changes determine what we pay, where we work, and how we access public services. In this article, we’ll unpack how Indonesia’s highest office crafts policies, share real stories of families and entrepreneurs navigating them, and offer practical “hacks” to make the most of government programs.

What Are National Policies?

Indonesia and The World: The Impact of Non-Aligned Foreign Policy - The St Andrews Economist

National policies are formal decisions, laws, or regulations issued by the central government—often spearheaded by the President and his Cabinet—that set the direction for:

  • Public spending and subsidies
  • Economic and tax regimes
  • Healthcare and social welfare programs
  • Infrastructure development
  • Education standards
  • Digital transformation and regulation

They differ from local regulations in scale and impact: a presidential regulation (Perpres) can affect 270 million citizens, while a gubernatorial mandate may apply to just one province.

How Presidential Decisions Become Policy

  1. Problem Identification
    • Cabinet ministries gather data and submit policy proposals—e.g., rising inflation prompts a fuel-subsidy review.
  2. Inter-Ministerial Deliberation
    • Coordinating Ministries (e.g., Economic Affairs) hold meetings with Finance, Energy, Health, and others.
  3. Presidential Approval & Signing
    • The President reviews the draft regulation or bill, amends if necessary, and signs it into law or regulation.
  4. Implementation by Ministries & Agencies
    • Ministries issue technical guidelines (petunjuk teknis) and work with regional governments to roll out programs.
  5. Monitoring & Evaluation
    • Bappenas, BPKP, and other bodies track performance; if targets aren’t met, policies can be revised.

Real Stories: Policies in Action

1. Subsidiized Fuel (BBM) Adjustments

  • Policy Change: In July 2023, the President raised subsidized Pertalite prices by 30% to reduce state spending.
  • Impact on “Pak Agus”’s Warung: Before the hike, he spent IDR 1.5 million/month on fuel for his delivery motorbike—afterward it jumped to IDR 2 million.
  • Hack:
    • Switch to Pertamax with cashback promotions on e-wallets (e.g., GoPay, OVO).
    • Join a community carpool or ojol pooling group to halve fuel costs.

2. Kartu Indonesia Sehat (KIS) Expansion

  • Policy Change: Presidential regulation extended universal health coverage to informal workers.
  • Impact on “Bu Rina,” a Street Vendor: Previously uninsured, she now gets free preventive check-ups at Puskesmas. When she needed a minor operation, out-of-pocket expenses were slashed by 90%.
  • Hack:
    • Download the Mobile JKN app and scan your KTP to confirm coverage.
    • Schedule preventive visits early in the month to avoid long queues.

3. Digital ID (NIK) Modernization

  • Policy Change: Presidential decree mandated integration of NIK with e-wallets, online banking, and e-signature services.
  • Impact on “Tono,” a Small-Scale Exporter: He used to fax signed export licenses. Now he signs documents digitally from his phone, cutting processing time from 3 days to under an hour.
  • Hack:
    • Register your NIK on SiPintar (Sistem Pintar Kementerian Keuangan) for tax reporting.
    • Use your e-KTP to apply for BNI TapCash or Mandiri e-Money; top-up via mobile banking.

4. Omnibus Law on Job Creation

  • Policy Change: Streamlined business licensing via Online Single Submission (OSS) and relaxed certain labor rules.
  • Impact on “Sarah,” a Startup Founder: She launched her e-commerce platform two months faster with an online NIB (Nomor Induk Berusaha).
  • Hack:
    • Prepare a digital copy of your company’s articles of association (Akta); upload directly to OSS to avoid repeated visits to BKPM offices.
    • Use the OSS customer service chat for instant question resolution.

Hacks to Navigate and Leverage National Policies

  1. Subscribe to “Sekretariat Kabinet” Alerts
    • Receive official newsletters summarizing new Perpres, PP, and Permen.
  2. Use Mobile Apps
    • Mobile JKN (healthcare), OSS (business permits), SiPintar (tax), dan Lapor! (public complaints) put government services in your pocket.
  3. Form or Join Citizen WhatsApp/Telegram Groups
    • Community members share real-time tips on subsidy phases, queue times at Puskesmas, or upcoming permit deadlines.
  4. Attend “Sosialisasi” Events
    • Local district offices (Kantor Kecamatan) regularly host socialization sessions—free attendance, Q&A with program officers.
  5. Leverage Public Data Portals
    • Open Data Indonesia (data.go.id) provides datasets on budget realisations, procurement plans, and performance indicators—crucial for NGOs, journalists, and activists.
  6. Consult “PPID” at Every Agency
    • Use the Public Information Disclosure (PPID) mechanism to request technical guidelines and budget details, enabling you to plan or contest policy rollouts.

Challenges & Future Directions

  • Implementation Gaps: Not all regions have the capacity to execute centrally issued policies—capacity-building is key.
  • Digital Divide: Rural areas lag in broadband access, limiting uptake of e-services.
  • Transparency Concerns: While regulations exist, enforcement of open-budget rules remains uneven.

The President’s office is piloting a “One Map Policy” to unify spatial data and accelerate infrastructure permits. Stay tuned—this could slash licensing times for mining, forestry, and urban development projects.

Conclusion

National policies crafted in the Istana Merdeka impact every facet of Indonesian life—from how we commute and access healthcare to how small businesses launch and grow. By understanding the policymaking pipeline, tuning into official channels, and deploying practical hacks, you can not only adapt to change but also seize new opportunities. Keep a close eye on presidential decrees, engage with local sosialisasi, and transform national decisions into actionable advantages for you and your community.

Sharpen Your Skills: Delve into Our Expertise on Politic

Check Out Our Latest Piece on Democratization: Navigating the Path to Reform in Indonesia!

Author