*Lucky Hakim in His Second Year: From Foundation to Proof*
By:
*Masduki Duryat*
(Rector of the Al-Amin Islamic Studies Institute, Indramayu)
Indramayu, July 12, 2026
Amidst a political constellation that feels “unpleasant,” due to a case that has shaken the wheels of the Indramayu Regency government—although a political “tsunami” has not yet occurred. The Indramayu administration presents an interesting irony: administrative performance has improved, but its social resonance has not yet been fully felt.
But Lucky Hakim continues to improve, work hard, and prove his performance.
*First Year Foundation: Stable, But Not Yet Transformative*
A closer look reveals that macroeconomic outcomes indicate stability. Economic growth is around 5%, a figure that reflects resilience, not a leap. The poverty rate remains at 11–12%, indicating the lack of strong intervention to stimulate a people-based economy.
The agricultural sector—as the backbone of Indramayu—has not experienced a significant increase in income. This is an important note, because the success of agrarian regional development is measured not only by production but also by the welfare of its farmers.
On the other hand, achieving a WTP opinion from the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) is an important indicator that financial governance is running accountably (BPK, 2024). However, it is important to emphasize: WTP is a minimum requirement for good governance, not the ultimate goal of development. It ensures that funds are managed properly, but does not automatically guarantee that the impact is felt widely.
This means that the first year is a consolidation phase—building a foundation, but not yet strong enough to shake the economic and social structure.
*Year Two: From Foundation to Proof*
Entering the second year, policy direction began to show more concrete accentuation. The local government allocated a budget of around IDR 250 billion for infrastructure and irrigation development. This is no small amount, and if executed properly, it has the potential to be a turning point.
This is where the narrative of “His Love for the People of Indramayu” finds its context. Development is not an achievement; it is an obligation.
However, when these obligations are carried out seriously, that’s where the political significance emerges.
Repaired roads are more than just asphalt and concrete. They represent economic access that opens rural-urban connectivity, lowers distribution costs, and increases local competitiveness. Built irrigation is not just a physical project, but a guarantee of sustainable agricultural production.
From a development perspective, infrastructure is an enabler—it doesn’t directly create prosperity, but it makes it possible (Todaro & Smith, 2015). Therefore, its impact is not always instantaneous, but rather cumulative.
Slow but sure.
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