• Table of Contents

  • The Rise of Jokowi: Indonesia’s Kingmaker and His Quest for Continued Influence
  • The Rise of Jokowi
  • The Kingmaker
  • The 2019 Election
  • The Quest for Continued Influence
  • Question and Answer
  • Conclusion

The Rise of Jokowi: Indonesia’s Kingmaker and His Quest for Continued Influence

Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country, has been making headlines in recent years for its rapid economic growth and political stability. At the center of this success story is Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, who has been the country’s president since 2014. But beyond his role as the leader of the nation, Jokowi is also a powerful kingmaker, with the ability to shape the country’s political landscape. As Indonesia gears up for its next presidential election in 2019, all eyes are on Jokowi and his efforts to maintain his influence. In this article, we will delve into the rise of Jokowi and his strategies to secure his position as Indonesia’s kingmaker.

The Rise of Jokowi

Jokowi’s journey to becoming Indonesia’s president was not an easy one. Born in a small village in Central Java, he started his career as a furniture businessman before entering politics. In 2005, he was elected as the mayor of Solo, a city in Central Java, and gained popularity for his hands-on approach to governance and his ability to connect with the people. His success in Solo led him to run for governor of Jakarta in 2012, where he won by a landslide, defeating the incumbent governor who had been in power for almost a decade.

His victory in Jakarta caught the attention of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the country’s largest political party, which then nominated him as their presidential candidate for the 2014 election. Jokowi’s humble background and his reputation as a clean and efficient leader resonated with the Indonesian people, and he won the election with over 53% of the votes.

The Kingmaker

As president, Jokowi has not only focused on improving the country’s economy and infrastructure but has also been actively involved in shaping the political landscape. His party, PDI-P, holds the largest number of seats in the parliament, giving Jokowi significant influence in the legislative process. He has also been successful in building alliances with other political parties, further strengthening his position as a kingmaker.

One of Jokowi’s key strategies to maintain his influence is by grooming and supporting young leaders within his party. He has been known to handpick candidates for local elections and has also appointed young and capable individuals to his cabinet. This not only helps him secure support within his party but also ensures a smooth transition of power in the future.

The 2019 Election

The 2019 presidential election in Indonesia is set to be a highly contested one, with Jokowi seeking re-election for a second term. His main opponent is Prabowo Subianto, a former general who lost to Jokowi in the 2014 election. Prabowo has been actively campaigning and has gained support from several political parties, making the race for the presidency a close one.

Jokowi’s popularity has slightly declined in recent years due to economic challenges and criticism of his policies. However, he still maintains a strong support base, especially among the younger generation who see him as a symbol of change and progress. His ability to connect with the people and his hands-on approach to governance has also helped him maintain his popularity.

The Quest for Continued Influence

As the election draws near, Jokowi is working tirelessly to secure his position as Indonesia’s kingmaker. He has been actively campaigning for his party’s candidates in local elections, hoping to maintain their dominance in the parliament. He has also been reaching out to other political parties, trying to build alliances and secure their support for his re-election.

One of the key issues that Jokowi has been focusing on is the economy. Indonesia’s economic growth has slowed down in recent years, and Jokowi has been implementing policies to boost the economy and create more jobs. He has also been investing in infrastructure projects, which has been a major focus of his administration since he took office. By addressing the concerns of the people and delivering on his promises, Jokowi hopes to maintain his popularity and secure his re-election.

Question and Answer

Q: How has Jokowi maintained his influence as Indonesia’s kingmaker?

A: Jokowi has maintained his influence through various strategies, including building alliances with other political parties, grooming young leaders within his party, and actively campaigning for his party’s candidates in local elections.

Conclusion

Jokowi’s rise to power and his role as Indonesia’s kingmaker is a testament to his leadership skills and his ability to connect with the people. As he seeks re-election in 2019, his quest for continued influence is evident in his strategies and actions. Whether he will be successful in securing his position as Indonesia’s kingmaker remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure, Jokowi’s impact on the country’s political landscape will continue to be felt for years to come.