Jokowi, a new inspiration from Indonesia

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.