Jokowi is a new hope for Indonesia

Jokowi, the last campaign at the Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta. Image: simomot.com

Prabowo riding a horse during the campaign. Image: m.rmolsumsel.com

A presidential election on July 9, 2014 is the most strategic democracy event since 16 years, since the 1998 reform. Direct election by the people to elect a president was first performed in 2004, and won by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). And SBY back wins to lead Indonesia in 2009. At the end of his second term, the President held another general election with two candidates: Prabowo with a military background and vice-presidential candidate is Hatta Rajasa, former Coordinating Minister for the Economy. Both of these candidates are challenged by Joko Widodo or he is very familiar with the nickname Jokowi.

Obama and Biden. Image: myfoxny.com

Jokowi is a former mayor of Solo, a small town in Central Java, and is currently still serving as governor of Jakarta, the Indonesian capital. This modest man chose Jusuf Kalla as vice president. Kalla is also a former minister in the era of President Megawati Sukarno Putri, and had been a vice president in the first Yudhoyono government. Many political commentators and ordinary people who say that, Jokowi and Kalla is like the president of the USA, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, where Jusuf Kalla is older than Jokowi, as Obama is younger than Biden.  There are many people who say Jokowi is "the next Obama" from Indonesia.

Jokowi and Jusuf Kalla also selfie. Image: jokowidiary.blogspot.com

Prabowo has prepared himself as president since 10 years ago. Profile of former special forces commander for 10 years so often appeared in various television in Indonesia. To realize his ambition as president, Prabowo lead various organizations such as farmers' organizations, even though he was not a farmer. The activities are expected to support its popularity.

Prabowo imaged as a decisive leader and intelligent, but human rights activists in Indonesia doubted its capacity in the field of human rights. Prabowo allegedly involved in abduction cases, democracy activists, and students in the reform era in 1997 and 1998. Involvement Prabowo is confirmed by the former commander, General Wiranto, Prabowo even terminate his service in the military with dismissal for violating discipline in the military, and because of the involvement Prabowo in the kidnapping of activists, while Prabowo not have official orders from superiors. 

Prabowo Subianto and Hatta Rajasa. Image: bantenpost.com

Meanwhile, the mayor Jokowi is very loved by his people in Solo when he became mayor. Jokowi many vigorous action to the street vendors, but with persuasion, so the city of Solo, a city that is more comfortable than the previous era. Jokowi lead Solo without doing violence to the violators of the city. Before Jokowi curb a wild area in the city, this skinny guy invites vendors had lunch several times at his office, and engage in dialogue to convey the vision and mission so that the Solo is more orderly, beautiful and comfortable.

Jokowi, Puan Maharani and Megawati. Image:antaranews.com

Humane leadership of Jokowi has succeeded in making Solo as a more civilized city. Therefore Jokowi received many awards from abroad and Indonesia. Many areas or other cities are studying the styles and how to lead a city Jokowi. Megawati Sukarno Putri, Chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) excited by the success of Jokowi as mayor. Although a lot of people who doubted, Jokowi was asked by Megawati to participate in the election of the Governor of Jakarta in 2012. Yet even ruled as governor for five years, Megawati Jokowi nominate as a candidate for president of Indonesia.

Jokowi did appear as governor in Jakarta with a big surprise because he defeated Governor Fauzi Bowo. After his victory, with Tjahaja Basuki Purnama or Ahok as his deputy has made the bureaucracy more disciplined and simple, build public facilities for the community, health cards, smart cards for poor students, build public transportation facilities such as MRT (Mass Rapid Transport), turned into a slum green areas or city parks, and even build flats for the poor. Jokowi also fired corrupt officials, and change the recruitment officer based on expertise, integrity and ability to lead. 

Bali, a beautiful paradise in Indonesia. Image: balilive.net

Jokowi known to be honest, anti-corruption, close to the people, and often meet with people to explain the program, so that the people of Jakarta has been getting a leader who is more close to the people. Jokowi too much to revitalize traditional markets, relocate wild house on the river bank to a special housing more viable and healthier than ever before.

Prabowo and his coalition colleagues. Image: politik.news.viva.co.id

Although Jokowi has not completed his term as governor is the largest city in Indonesia, Megawati re-take the important decision to nominate Jokowi as Indonesian presidential candidate with the fourth largest population of the world. Of Jokowi will face a big challenge both nationally and internationally, but Jokowi regarded as the new hope for Indonesia.

Voting on July 9, 2014 is an important moment for the people of Indonesia, whether to choose Prabowo who has a lot of the coalition of political parties with a variety of problems in his coalition colleagues, especially the various cases of corruption, especially Prabowo still shadowed by the dark past of human rights issues , especially the case of the kidnapping of 13 activists, where their fate is very mysterious, whether alive or dead. Is the Indonesian people will give their votes to Jokowi as the new president, where Jokowi promised to give change for a better Indonesia.