JokoWi Told TIME Magazine: Indonesians Have High Expectation, Dangerous If I Can’t Deliver

The article written by TIME magazine entitled ‘The New Face of Indonesian Democracy’ has revealed a few insider stories from President-elect Joko Widodo. Jokowi, as he is more known, has come to realize on the much hope and expectation that Indonesians have put on his shoulders.

The former mayor of Solo has shared that it is dangerous for him if he cannot realize what the people want and shall his promises be undelivered.

“It’s dangerous for me. If I cannot realize what they want, what I promised, then it is a big problem,” Jokowi told TIME magazine.

The high impact magazine has written that Jokowi’s job is to ensure that his promises can meet the reality, which is associated with real practices on the ground, particularly in the economic sector. One of the initial steps will be to welcome foreign investors to the country.

According to the Chairman of the Trade and Investment Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia, Douglas Ramage, many foreign investors were turned off by the recent presidential campaign, which often utilized nationalistic rhetoric to persuade voters.

The next important step is to expedite infrastructure development, which Jokowi said would be welcomed by foreign investors. To TIME magazine, the President-elect has also shared his effort in eradicating practices of corruption, reduce the expenses in fuel subsidy and strengthen collection of tax.

“By showing that we can change, that we can follow the rules, then we will create a place where investors will want to come,” Jokowi told TIME magazine.

In the article, Jokowi’s unique way of managing was also highlighted. During his interview with TIME magazine, Jokowi was doing a sudden inspection to a subsidized-housing construction site, to which he was dissatisfied due to the developer’s failure in meeting completion deadline.

“They have failed,” Jokowi told TIME. He admitted that some people do not welcome his micro-managing style, particularly the regular and sudden spot checks.

“People are scared because I am always checking. I want people to be scared so they will listen to my instruction. If I learn that someone is not doing something …,” said Jokowi who according to TIME, was animating a finger across his throat during the conversation.

The new president’s ability in leading a complex country like Indonesia also invited several questions and doubts, including one from the Chairman for South East Asia Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, Ernest Bower.

“There are a lot of questions about whether Jokowi will be able to run a big, complex country,” said Ernest Bower as quoted by TIME magazine. Bower is in the opinion that it is history that will call Jokowi to provide leadership.

“My gut tells me history is going to call on Jokowi to provide leadership, and he will fulfill it,” said Bower.

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