In July 2014, Indonesia was running a
huge party of democracy, where the people of Indonesia elect a new president. Joko
Widodo alias Jokowi the presidential candidate with his running mate, Jusuf
Kalla dealing with Prabowo and Hatta Rajasa.
Who is Jokowi? Why is this skinny guy
can captivate the Indonesian people, even a lot of praise from abroad? Is he
going to be the new leader for Indonesia? Indonesia, as well as a new
country, in the era of 45 to 60s, was led by a great leader, who has inspired
people, even inspired the independence of countries in Asia and Africa in the
colonial era. Sukarno proclaimed Indonesia's independence on August 17, 1945.
Sukarno is the founding father of Indonesia. Does Jokowi could become a new
icon for Indonesia and inspire people in this equatorial country?
 |
| The leader is assertiveness without doubt. Image: birokrasi.kompasiana.com |
Jokowi is
a humble leader who was born of an ordinary family in Solo, a small town in
Central Java, Indonesia. These young men when striving to become an
entrepreneur in the field of furniture. He managed to achieve success in
business, and managed to become an exporter of furniture to many countries.
He
continued his political career from the bottom, until eventually in his party
colleagues who saw the potential in Jokowi, and eventually he was elected twice
as mayor of Solo. His career continued as a governor in Jakarta, a metropolitan
city, the capital of Indonesia.
 |
| Sukarno and John F. Kennedy. Image: zadandunia.blogspot.com |
Both in
Solo and Jakarta, Jokowi many changes physically and city paradigm shift in
people led by this skinny guy. Compared to most of the mayors, regents,
governors or other ministers, Jokowi has a distinctive and unique, which is
rarely done by other government officials. Jokowi often "blusukan" or
conduct visits and inspections to various locations to find out the actual
situation that occurred in the city he runs. He does not just rely on the staff
report and its officials.
He really
enjoyed meeting the people, ready to hear the complaints and the needs society.
Nonetheless, Jokowi also do not like the disorder that occurred in the city,
for example the omission of vendors who do business on the sidewalks, in the
street, in a city park, illegal parking and other violations committed by the
citizens. Because of these problems have long been left without a solution by
its predecessor, the Jokowi initially difficult to perform policing and law
enforcement.
 |
| Jokowi with hundreds of thousands of supporters, the last campaign at Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta. Image: tribunnews.com |
He had a
mission to make the city so that they lead a more orderly, more beautiful and
comfortable for its inhabitants, and can make happy the tourists who visit to
Solo, or Jakarta. In contrast to the mayor or the governor general, who
normally would take legal action the hard way - Jokowi many times a unique
approach - the street vendors in Solo invited to lunch to his office. He gave
an explanation, that the common areas such as a park or garden should be free
from interference by interrupting the convenience of pedestrians, as well as
the general public. Jokowi also provide solutions in the form of a place to do
business in a new place. In fact, he ordered officials to promote the new
location, and provide rent relief, so that small businesses could rise up and
succeed.
 |
| Prabowo Subianto, the other candidate, campaigned by riding a horse. Image: tempo.co |
In the
early days as governor of Jakarta in 2012, Jokowi also run his mission and
vision are not much different when he became mayor in Solo. Jakarta is a big
city, so did the population, much larger than the Solo, is certainly a problem
in Jakarta is also very complex. However, as a leader who does not have a debt
of gratitude to the political elite or business elite, Jokowi can do policing
and law enforcement without doubt. As is the case in Solo, then in Jakarta he
also acted decisively to corrupt bureaucrats, also dare stop the program that
will cost the government money.
 |
| Jokowi dialogue with the farmers in Java. Image: borneonews.co.id |
It could
be said Jokowi is an example of a leader who thinks out of the box. He proved
to be successful to change a slum reservoir, the surrounding inhabited
thousands of people occupying state land illegally. At first Jokowi cruel
accusations and slander of his opponents, as well as activists on charges of
harming poor people. The same challenges he faced in river flow restoration
program,
or when he
relocate the street vendors, or squatters on the edge of the railroad tracks
and river banks. For these severe problems, Jokowi remains a persuasive
approach, dialogue and appropriate solutions.
Though not
even two years rule as governor of Jakarta is rich with social problems, Jokowi
Megawati Sukarno Putri nominated by - former President and Chairman of
Indonesia and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) - the
Indonesian presidential candidate. Competitors is Prabowo coalition with many
other parties. Balloting will be conducted on July 9, 2014.
 |
| Jokowi in the middle of konser Salam 2 Jari (Two Fingger Salute Concert). Image: suara.com |
Prabowo
was a former military officials, but stopped as a Lieutenant General with a
dismissal in 1998 for violating the military discipline, and allegedly
kidnapped the 13 activists. Prabowo imaged as a firm leader, and has more than
10 years to prepare himself to become president.
In a
unique social and political situation in Indonesia, Jokowi is not easy to
challenge Prabowo, who supported a variety of large party in a grand coalition,
compared Jokowi which only supported a few political parties. However, Jokowi
has proven that Jokowi supported by the majority of Indonesian people are
dreaming of a big change.
There are
thousands of volunteers who freely devote their time and money to support
Jokowi. Jokowi had a very inspiring vision, namely Revolusi Mental or "Mental Revolution". Why mental
revolution? Indonesia wants to be changed by the people of Indonesia that
Jokowi mentally more positive, more optimistic, more confident, more
disciplined, ready to work hard, be creative, so that the people of Indonesia
can compete with other nations, at least in the ASEAN region, especially
Indonesia will enter the era of community ASEAN and AFTA.
 |
| Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia. Image: indonesia.travel |
Program of
creative industries and creative economy into one of the programs Jokowi
campaign, captured the hearts of Indonesian youth and many Indonesian artist.
Community of farmers, fishermen, small and medium-sized businesses, as well as
teachers and ordinary people in general agree with the program Jokowi and his
running mate, Jusuf Kalla, because it is considered more reasonable, and can be
implemented than the vision and programs Prabowo and Hatta Rajasa.
All
Indonesian people, maybe even a lot of people in other countries, who also want
to see a new leader for a better Indonesia, may be looking forward to win her
heart pounding a new Indonesian President for the new changes, so that the
voting on July 9, 2014 is an momentum and a new history for Indonesia. Jokowi
could be an inspiring solution to the changes.
