In first interview, Jokowi tries to manage expectations

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Everywhere he goes, he’s greeted like a rock star. People jostle to take selfies with him. The so-called Jokowi effect has changed political fortunes and moved markets. 

It would be an understatement to say a lot is expected of Indonesia’s newly inaugurated president. 

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo – a man who has defied expectations by moving from being mayor of a small town of 500,000 to the head of a nation of 250 million in just 9 years – says he recognizes the high hopes people have placed on him. 

“I felt so surprised, from the parliament building to the State Palace, it was filled with people, a sea of people,” he said during his first live interview on MetroTV, held at the palace grounds towards the end of his historic inauguration day on Monday, October 20. 

He was referring to the tens of thousands of people who packed the streets of Central Jakarta to witness his parade with Vice President Jusuf Kalla after the inauguration ceremony.  

“This shows the high hopes, and the high expectations pinned on me and Pak JK (Kalla) to realize these hopes,” he said.

But Jokowi – whose notable achievements as mayor of Solo led to 90% of his constituents re-electing him, and to his nomination as governor of Jakarta – cautioned that change would not happen overnight. 

“For me, this is a burden, it has to be realized soon. The people want a huge transformation immediately, but everything has a process. It’s not as easy as flipping the palm of your hand.”

Initial priorities

Over the next week, Jokowi said he would meet with governors, the military, and the police to tackle various problems in Indonesia.  

When asked about the much-anticipated announcement of his cabinet, Jokowi said it would be done as soon as possible, but he can’t tell exactly when. 

“(The list) is done, but we have just received reports from the KPK, BPK, so there are slight alterations,” he said. 

The list of his potential cabinet members was submitted to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Audit Board of Indonesia (BPK) for vetting late last week. The KPK reportedly gave him their feedback on Sunday, a day before the inauguration.

“Is the integrity of some of the minister names being questioned?” journalist Najwa Shihab asked. 

“We can’t please everyone, but I want to build a working cabinet, one that is close to the people,” Jokowi responded, but maintained the list would prove he was not out to please political parties. 

During the campaign, Jokowi famously promised to form a lean and professional cabinet, and that he would not resort to the practice of trading ministerial seats for political support. 

But with a minority coalition behind him and an opposition-controlled legislature looming over him, Jokowi was seen to have quietly moved behind the scenes to create a cabinet that would allow for some political concessions. The cabinet “structure” he announced on September 15 included 17 seats for “professionals from political parties”. Jokowi was also later quoted as saying he could include the United Development Party (PPP) – a party in the opposition likely to jump ship – in his cabinet.   

Volunteers, advisers

Jokowi was also asked about the people close to him. The head of his now-defunct transition team, economist Rini Mariani Soemarno, and its deputy, international relations expert Andi Widjajanto, for instance, barely leave Jokowi’s side.

But he told Najwa the closest people to him are the volunteers, who will always be around “as long as they stay true”.

He did, however, say that he will create a Lembaga Kepresidenan (presidential institute) that would advise him on policies and politics.  

“The characteristics I’m looking for in a person to head the Lembaga Kepresidenan is someone who would be able to bridge communications between the government and political parties.” – Rappler.com