Joko Widodo

Joko Widodo
Name	Joko Widodo
Caption	Official portrait, 2019
Office	7th President of Indonesia
Vicepresident	Jusuf Kalla (2014–2019), Ma'ruf Amin (2019–present)
Term start	20 October 2014
Predecessor	Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Office1	15th Governor of Jakarta
Vicegovernor1	Basuki Tjahaja Purnama
Term start1	15 October 2012
Term end1	16 October 2014
Predecessor1	Fauzi Bowo
Successor1	Basuki Tjahaja Purnama
Office2	16th Mayor of Surakarta
Term start2	28 July 2005
Term end2	1 October 2012
Predecessor2	Slamet Suryanto
Successor2	F.X. Hadi Rudyatmo
Birth date	21 June 1961
Birth place	Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia
Party	Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (since 2004)
Spouse	Iriana
Alma mater	Gadjah Mada University
Religion	Islam

Joko Widodo, often known by his nickname Jokowi, is the seventh and current President of Indonesia, having taken office in October 2014. A member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), he rose to national prominence through his tenure as Mayor of Surakarta and Governor of Jakarta, where he was noted for his pragmatic, hands-on governance style. His presidency has focused on ambitious infrastructure development, economic reform, and maintaining Indonesia's strategic neutrality in global affairs.

Early life and education

He was born on 21 June 1961 in the Kampung of Surakarta, a city in Central Java, to a family of modest means. His father was a wood-seller, and his childhood was spent in a riverside slum, an experience that later informed his political focus on grassroots issues. He attended local schools in Surakarta before moving to study forestry at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, graduating in 1985. His time at the prestigious university exposed him to a broader national intellectual environment, though he was not initially active in campus politics.

Business career

After university, he initially worked in a state-owned forestry enterprise in Aceh before returning to his hometown. In the early 1990s, he and his family established a small furniture manufacturing workshop, sourcing teak from local suppliers. He grew the business into a successful export-oriented company, PT Rakabu, which shipped products to clients across Europe and East Asia. This experience in SMEs and global trade provided him with practical insights into economic challenges, bureaucracy, and the importance of infrastructure, which later became central themes of his political agenda.

Political career

His political career began in 2005 when he was elected Mayor of Surakarta, nominated by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) under the mentorship of party chairwoman Megawati Sukarnoputri. As mayor, he revitalized the city's public spaces like Taman Balekambang, relocated informal street vendors to modern markets, and boosted tourism and investment, earning Surakarta the title of "ASEAN City of Culture" in 2008. His success propelled him to the governorship of the capital, Jakarta, in 2012, where he partnered with deputy Basuki Tjahaja Purnama to launch major public service initiatives, including the Jakarta MRT and the Kartu Jakarta Pintar health and education card programs.

Presidency

Winning the 2014 Indonesian presidential election against Prabowo Subianto, he was inaugurated as president on 20 October 2014 with Jusuf Kalla as vice president. His administration, often called "Jokowi's Working Cabinet," has prioritized a massive national infrastructure push, including the construction of the Jakarta–Bandung high-speed railway, Trans-Sumatra Toll Road, and new airports like Yogyakarta International Airport. Key economic policies include the Omnibus Law on Job Creation and promoting downstreaming in the nickel industry to attract investment from companies like Tesla. In foreign policy, he has maintained a non-aligned stance, balancing relations between the United States and China, while focusing on ASEAN centrality and maritime sovereignty in the South China Sea. He was re-elected in the 2019 Indonesian presidential election, with Ma'ruf Amin as his vice president.

Personal life

He is married to Iriana, whom he met in Surakarta, and they have three children: Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Kahiyang Ayu, and Kaesang Pangarep. His son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, followed him into politics, becoming Mayor of Surakarta in 2021. Known for his informal style, he is often seen wearing checked shirts and is a noted enthusiast of heavy metal music and football, being a fan of Persija Jakarta and Solo FC. His family maintains a relatively low public profile despite their political involvement.

Legacy and public image

Widely perceived as a man of the people, his legacy is closely tied to his extensive infrastructure development and efforts to streamline bureaucracy through digitalization. Critics point to challenges regarding human rights in Indonesia, environmental management of projects like the new capital city Nusantara, and democratic regression. Internationally, he is viewed as a stabilizing, pragmatic leader who has increased Indonesia's global economic profile. His unique journey from a small-city mayor to the presidency has solidified his image as a symbol of aspirational, populist leadership in Indonesian politics.

Category:Presidents of Indonesia Category:Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle politicians Category:1961 births Category:Living people