Jokowi, whose presidency has been characterized by his focus on infrastructure development, social welfare programs and economic growth, has overseen a period of remarkably stable growth of 5 percent each year of his term, except in 2020 when the Indonesian economy contracted as a result of the global pandemic.

Indonesia is projected to maintain the trend in the final year of Jokowi’s term, which will provide the new government with the much-needed fundamentals and confidence to withstand global uncertainties in the years to come.

It is safe to say that Jokowi has fared quite well on the economic front, as evident in the widespread recognition both domestically and internationally. His promise to accelerate growth by 7 percent during the presidential campaign back in 2014, while simply a gimmick to lure voters, would never come true, but it reflected his guarded optimism and determination.

Such a mindset has marked his governing style, as exemplified in his quest for several omnibus laws to boost investment and create jobs. Similarly, he has pushed for signature projects like the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail and relocation of the capital city to East Kalimantan, as well as other infrastructure projects to improve connectivity, which will sap much of the state budget.

Jokowi has drafted a road map called Golden Indonesia 2045, which envisions Indonesia as an advanced economy when it celebrates the centenary of its independence. According to forecasts by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Indonesia's gross domestic product will grow to US$8.89 trillion by 2045 to become the fourth-largest in the world, driven by its demographic bonus in 2030–2040, when 64 percent of its population will be of working age.

More than just a big marketplace for the world, Indonesia is projected to have highly talented, creative and productive human resources, and the capacity to change the country's economic structure.

Certainly whoever succeeds Jokowi will have a clear picture of how to make the vision work and be plausible, or else he will find a better option than that which Jokowi has prepared.

With all his work, Jokowi stands a great chance of leaving a mark when he steps down. But a series of events lately could dent such hopes.

Jokowi has admitted to playing an active role in defining the course of the upcoming presidential election for the good of the nation, but the Constitutional Court’s ruling early this week indicates the opposite. The ruling simply paves the way for his eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, to run for vice president alongside presidential candidate Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto.

Prabowo’s Indonesia Onward coalition is reportedly waiting for approval from Jokowi, who is slated to arrive in Indonesia today after a week-long overseas trip. Jokowi’s support for the ticket is the last thing that we want, otherwise he will only spoil all his achievements and plunge Indonesian democracy to its lowest ebb.