Indonesia has seen a number of leading startup figures making a move to the public sector, but the public finds themselves anxiously waiting for the next big innovation to reveal itself. The high expectation is understandable, but the public sector is a tricky path to navigate, after all.

When Nadiem Makarim resigned from his widely celebrated position of gojek CEO to answer “the call of duty” to become the Minister of Education and Culture of the country, his decision was quickly followed with both scoffs and support. While it remains unfair to criticise an individual’s performance before their first day of work, we must remind you that Makarim’s background was in business and technology –nothing in his CV says culture or education.

But his appointment had sent out a loud and clear message of what President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is trying to achieve: Makarim’s appointment was meant to bridge between the government and the younger part of the nation.

Scandal-infested

Jokowi went one step further with the appointment of the unprecedented presidential special staff, consisting of seven young people with tech and startup background. These experts were to give the President innovative ideas in regard to the country’s development in various fields, as reported by The Jakarta Post.

They were Ruangguru CEO and founder Adamas Belva Syah Devara, Amartha Fintech founder Andi Taufan Garuda Putra, and Creativeprenuer CEO Putri Tanjung.

Other expert staff members include SabangMerauke co-founder Ayu Kartika Dewi, Kitong Bisa CEO Gracia Billy Mambrasar, and social entrepreneur Angkie Yudistia and former Indonesian Islamic Students Movement (PMII) chairman Aminuddin Maruf.

Also Read: [Updated] Breaking: Nadiem Makarim named Minister of Education and Culture of Indonesia

At first, the idea seemed exciting. But soon, things started to turn suspicious.

Andi Taufan Garuda Putra of Amartha was being slammed for asking district heads across Indonesia to support a COVID-19 relief programme led by his company. Even worse, his request was written in a letter bearing the Cabinet Secretary’s letterhead.

This move was seen as a conflict of interest, especially since the presidential special staffs do not have the authority to appoint a company for COVID-19 mitigation efforts. It blew up in social media and quickly went viral for all the wrong reasons. Putra had to resign 10 days later.

Ruangguru CEO Adamas Belva Syah Devara was next to be grilled by the public. His edutech company had become one of the appointees for the Pre-Employment card for 2.8 million unemployed citizens. Every person’s eligible will receive US$69 in courses selected by the government, one of them being Skill Academy by Ruangguru.

However, Belva soon claimed that the appointment was done before him becoming a presidential special staff, indicating that there was no foul play involved in the process.

Nadiem Makarim himself has been behind a few controversial decisions himself. The most recent one is on the new students enrollment policy for Jakarta area (PPDB).

Also Read: Nadiem Makarim of gojek’s fame crosses to politics, these are what the startup ecosystem has to say

Indonesia’s Child Protection Commissioner (KPAI) reportedly received 15 complaints related to Makarim’s policy for students’ eligibility to move to the next level in school. The complaints mainly are about technical issues due to the virtual application system.

“Many parents are concerned about the age requirement that is one of the PPDB’s selection indicator for the Jakarta area, as well as the policy regarding the achievement path as other selection’s requirements. The latter one is not in line with the previous year’s policy about PPDB,” said lawmaker Syaiful Huda.

“Another requirement being frown upon is the residency requirement with at least one year of residency in certain areas, which further frustrate parents who just want their kids to be able to enrol for the fresh semester coming this month,” he continued.

Before entering the lion’s den

So if you are a startup founder with political ambition, what should you do then? Should you even proceed with this goal?

e27 spoke to one of the prominent names in the Indonesian startup scene to dig his insight. Asking to remain anonymous, in addition to his experience in the tech sector, our source has some familiarity with the Indonesian public sector.

“I think the last cabinet featured so many tech-experienced people because it has to do with the country’s openness towards the digital era. It is to give the right signal to investors that Indonesia embraces digital technology and young talents, although it also has other angles that are more politically inclined to it,” he said.

In the case of such a prolific force in the startup scene such as Nadiem Makarim, his position certainly can bring big benefits for both for Indonesian young talents and the tech ecosystem itself.

“But that is only if he’s successful. I think there will be an inflow of more foreign investment because they see more ‘certainty’ on the government regulations side, with Nadiem being in the cabinet,” our source said.

A recent report by The Straits Times emerged that President Jokowi’s growing frustration with how his cabinet handles the COVID-19 pandemic might soon trigger a reshuffle.

If Makarim, along with other ministers, does not keep up with the expectation, his political career might be short-lived.

Tech founders may know a thing or two about how to navigate the ups-and-downs of the tech market, but it’s clear that politics require a lot of different strategies. One does not simply answer the country’s calling.

“It is better to do a ‘pull’ than ‘push’ move because politics are ruthless and invisible. Without real purpose and passion, tech people can feel easily frustrated there,” our source added his insight.

In the end, we can all just wait and see.

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Image Credit: Joakim Honkasalo on Unsplash

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