Aceh – Indonesia, ESSENTIALLY, a government spokesperson is a translator. Through a spokesperson, the rigid and technical language often used in government regulations and bureaucracy is translated into simple language. Easy to digest.
This way, the public can understand the government’s message, no matter how complex the script. When listening to a spokesperson’s explanation on an issue, people don’t need to furrow their brows. There is no distortion. Everything is clear.
Another function of a spokesperson is to act as a shield and ease tensions. That is why a spokesperson must be someone capable of managing conflict, answering all questions with a cool head, and turning negative narratives into positive ones—or at least neutral.
However, Nurlis Efendi failed to do so. The Aceh Provincial Government spokesperson instead fanned the flames by making groundless statements directed at Safrizal ZA, the Director General of Regional Administration Development, who was appointed by Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian as Head of the Regional Post for the Aceh Acceleration of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Task Force.
Whether running out of issues or simply wanting to surf on political waves, Nurlis urged Minister Tito to evaluate Safrizal’s performance in Aceh. According to Nurlis, Safrizal focused more on matters outside his duties as Head of the Aceh PRR Task Force.
Although issued in the name of the Aceh Government, the statement turned out to closely resemble Nurlis’s personal commentary. The Governor of Aceh, Muzakir Manaf—popularly known as Mualem—who is Nurlis’s superior, never entrusted any message for Nurlis to convey to the public. Mualem was also never asked for approval before Nurlis made the offside statement attacking Safrizal.
The statement clearly disadvantages Aceh. Safrizal may not be an extraordinary figure. He is neither a minister nor a presidential confidant. But at the very least, he can be relied upon to secure Aceh’s interests in Jakarta. There are policy doors at the central level that Safrizal can knock on to ensure Aceh’s interests are not diminished. Safrizal should be regarded as an asset, not a burden. Besides, Safrizal is a native of Aceh.
Expressing personal opinions and framing them as an official institution statement is a fatal mistake. Nurlis forgot that he is merely a megaphone. He should not add to the statements of the institution he represents, let alone fabricate claims.
On his shoulders rests the duty to build and maintain trust. Nurlis’s actions significantly affect the credibility of the Aceh Government. Mualem should pay close attention to this matter. If the megaphone begins to malfunction, Mualem would be wise to unplug the wire or purchase a new megaphone that delivers a clearer sound without distortion.***