Indonesian Vice President Gibran’s new public complaints service is drawing support and skepticism

IndonesiaNew Vice President Jebran Rakabuming Raka has launched a public complaints service, which analysts say may be aimed at bolstering his populist image, but the program has been met with skepticism about its practicality and relevance.

A physical complaints service called “Lapor Mas Wapres” (or “Report to the Vice President”) went live on Monday, along with an online reporting option via WhatsApp.

In an Instagram post announcing the initiative, Gibran said: “We will be accepting complaints from the Indonesian public. Ladies and gentlemen, you can come directly to the Vice President’s Palace in the center of Jakarta.”

According to the local newspaper Kompas, on the first day of work, the department received 55 personal complaints, residents from all over the country contacted the secretariat. But many were denied because the service could handle a maximum of 60 requests per day, Kompas reported.

In the network, this initiative received mixed reviews; some praised Gibran for reaching out directly to the public, while others questioned the feasibility of the program and whether handling public complaints was part of the vice president’s role.

“Does the vice president’s duties include consideration of such public complaints?” asked one Instagram user.