It has been a Ramadan unlike many before in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country.

While the Islamic fasting month is usually a festive season, this year has been somber amid a lack of appetite among people for spending. Shopping malls and markets are noticeably less crowded, even the week before Idul Fitri, when workers had already received their THR (holiday bonuses).

The government has also predicted a significant decline in the number of people who will travel to their hometowns for a family reunion during Idul Fitri, from 193.6 million last year to 146.5 million this year.  

The mood is even bleaker with public resentment against the passage of the revised Indonesian Military (TNI) Law that triggered widespread and violent protests in many cities across the country. Also recently, the Jakarta Composite Index and rupiah dropped to historic lows amid the market’s waning confidence in the prospects for the country’s economy.

This is a good moment for President Prabowo Subianto to reflect on what he has done in the first few months of his administration. With strong political support from the ruling coalition and people’s guarded optimism at the start of Prabowo’s presidency, it is ironic that the country has come to this point.

The President has been overconfident in his high approval rating of above 80 percent, which far exceeds his predecessor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s in the early days in office. Prabowo believes too much in what the pollsters say while neglecting the inconvenient truth on the streets and in the markets.

He insists that the negative reactions from the public stem from the poor communication skills of his ministers rather than the flaws in his policies. He also argues that as his policies and programs are large-scale, for instance, the free nutritious meals targeting 80 million children and pregnant women or the establishment of a new sovereign wealth fund Danantara, so that it may take a while for the public to see the results.  

Being the scapegoat of all the wrongs happening at the end of the authoritarian regime of his former father-in-law Soeharto, Prabowo is no stranger to the rejection and condemnation of Indonesian people. He has also walked a long political journey that was marked by defeats and humiliation.

He may take into consideration one or two loud voices and think the economic stumbles are nothing.

But of all people, Prabowo, a former Army general who is known for his fervent expression of patriotism, must realize that he should not be at war with the people to whom he claims to be devoted. He should also be aware that his strong determination and nationalistic principles should not become so combative that they get in the way of the country's economic wellbeing.

Like most Indonesian people, this is a good time for Prabowo and his administration to practice moderation and self-restraint. Unless the President can empathize with people’s grievances and burdens, public discontent will persist. It will be exacerbated when his poor economic policies begin to take their toll.

For Muslims, Ramadan teaches self-restraint and modesty as the core values in building the relationships both between people and between them and their Creator.

The holy month is therefore a testing ground of resilience against the lures of the flesh. Not only do Muslims refrain from drinking and eating during the day, but they also exercise self-control and strengthen their relationship with God.

On Idul Fitri, which marks the end of Ramadan, they celebrate their successful self-purification. We hope all Muslims can reach their goals and may this year’s Idul Fitri be a joyful one, no matter if it must be observed in simplicity.

Eid Mubarak.