Joko Widodo, or Jokowi as he is popularly known, was re-elected President of Indonesia in the April 2019 elections, winning 55.5% of the vote, and will serve his second and final term until October 2024. Running against an opponent who questioned his Islamic cre­dentials, President Widodo selected Ma’ruf Amin as running mate. Ma’ruf Amin is the leader of the In­donesian Ulema Council, the country’s top Muslim clerical body.

Background: President Widodo is the first Indo­nesian president not to be from the military or the political elite. He comes from a humble background of Javanese descent. His father had a small furniture business, which often couldn’t make ends meet. His parents struggled to put him through university, where he graduated in the field of forestry. After graduation, Widodo worked for three years in the forestry service of a state enterprise in Aceh before returning to his family business.

Successful and “Clean” Politician: Widodo was the mayor of Surakarta before becoming the governor of Jakarta in September 2012. As a successful mayor, he enjoyed a close relationship with his constituents. He focused on promoting the city as a centre of Javanese culture, but also developed the public transport sys­tem, healthcare and business relations with the com­munity. He forged a reputation for being a “clean’ politician”, avoiding charges of corruption and nepotism which plague most politicians.

Governor of Jakarta: His political success contin­ued with his election as governor of Jakarta. He was equally successful as governor, making meaningful reforms in education, public transportation, revamp­ing traditional markets, and im­plementing flood control measures.

Presidential Record: President Joko Widodo has focused on economic development and infrastructure investment during his time in office. From 2014 to 2022, Indonesia’s infrastructure investment has increased from 3% of GDP to 6% of GDP. He has also launched a number of social programs, such as the Health Insurance Card for the Poor and the Prosperous Families Program. In 2022, over 220 million Indonesians were covered by the Health Insurance Card for the Poor. President Joko Widodo has also taken steps to improve Indonesia’s environmental record, such as by banning deforestation and promoting renewable energy. In 2021, Indonesia’s renewable energy capacity reached 14.6 gigawatts.

Blusukan Culture: President Widodo has become well-known for impromptu visits to see and hear directly from people in local communities. This has allowed him to directly address their concerns and criticisms, allowing him to develop a strong personal relationship with the public.

“We need to pay special attention to capacity building, quality infrastructure, as well as accessibility and affordability of the
digital economy.”

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