Former CEO of GoJek and current Minister of Education and Culture for Indonesia, Nadiem Makarim, is the youngest minister of President Joko Widodo’s Cabinet at the age of 35.

But the Cabinet won't be entirely new to him, as he already knows at least one member quite well.

Known him since university

Nadiem addresses the 57-year-old Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, as "Auntie", given that she has known him since his undergraduate days.

She revealed this on Nov. 21, at the 2019 Festival of Ideas forum, which was held at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP).

During her speech, she also addressed the challenges facing the current generation of leaders and policymakers as a result of greater access to information.

Access to more information has made people less open-minded

One such challenge was the choice that people made when it came to engaging online knowledge, which has become more available and accessible.

The minister believed that despite the "democratisation of knowledge", one of the ironies was that people have not become more open-minded.

This is because instant access to knowledge has made it easier to to confirm one’s own assumptions and stereotypes, thereby reducing awareness of the other side of the argument.

She said:

"Today, if you access a website, and you know exactly the website that is your preference, they are usually just justifying what you already have in mind.

So its becoming very difficult to make conversation in public, even though we have technology and have the accessibility."

Populists are strengthened by division

She then highlighted: "It now takes more effort to reach across the lines of division, and understand the people one does not agree with."

And it is an effect that plays into the hands of populists, said Sri Mulyani.

She added that populists shout louder than others, see all problems in black-and-white, exploit fears, and offer magic solutions to complex issues.

An impatient public and desire for instant policy delivery

Sri Mulyani highlighted another challenge, which was a "growing impatience" among the public for policies to take effect.

She said:

"With more instant access to information, and policymaking dynamics, the public is more impatient and people get angry quickly.

Because their expectations are high and they want delivery as fast as an instant message."

This could then result in leaders and policymakers being overwhelmed by a "24/7 accountability cycle".

It is, therefore, crucial to think about an effective response and platform to help policymakers exercise their duty effectively.

How governments can adapt to changing times

Sri Mulyani cited an emphasis on the legal framework as one such solution, in which the rights and responsibilities of both citizens and policymakers are outlined.

She also noted that it was important for institutions to be flexible enough to adapt to such social dynamics.

"They (institutions) must also strike a balance between being open and inclusive, with its ability to be decisive and effective in its policymaking and delivery. Good leadership will know how to navigate and respond to this changing dynamic."

Dealing with those who lose out, even with good reforms

Sri Mulyani then pointed out that another challenge came from the fact that no matter what good reforms are made, a group of people may "lose out", even if for a short time.

In such a situation, the key considerations to be made are:

• How the policy will be explained to people,
• How they will be compensated, and'
• Whether they will listen and understand, given that there is plenty of information competing for their attention.

She added:

"Leaders need to show empathy -- leaders to truly understand people’s heart and minds, leaders need to convince them that the reform is needed and that the success is possible."

Left photo from LKYSPP, right photo from GoJek Tech/Facebook.