Journalism of Courage
Joko Widodo completed a journey from riverside slum to presidential palace on Monday, cheered through the streets following his inauguration by tens of thousands of ordinary Indonesians in a reminder to the opposition-controlled parliament of the strong grass-roots support that swept him to power.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo gestures to the crowd during a street parade following his inauguration in Jakarta. (Source: AP Photo)
The 53-year-old must make tough decisions to stand a chance of boosting economic growth in Indonesia, a sprawling nation of 250 million people.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo waves to the crowd during a street parade following his inauguration in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Oct. 20, 2014. (Source: AP Photo)
Fears that any reforms he tries to enact could be blocked by a hostile opposition led by the Suharto-era general he defeated in July's election have seen the rupiah weaken and stock market fall in recent weeks.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo gestures to the crowd during a street parade following his inauguration in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Oct. 20, 2014. (Source: AP Photo)
But those thoughts were put aside momentarily on Monday when Widodo and his deputy traveled from the parliament building to the presidential palace in an organized public party, the first in the country's history following an inauguration. After a few kilometers (miles), he left his car and took a horse and cart, flashing victory signs and shaking countless hands.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, center left, reaches to shake hands with the crowd during a street parade following his inauguration in Jakarta. (Source: AP Photo)
"To the fishermen, the workers, the farmers, the merchants, the meatball soup sellers, the hawkers, the drivers, the academics, the laborers, the soldiers, the police, the entrepreneurs and the professionals, I say let us all work hard, together, shoulder to shoulder, because this is a historic moment,'' Widodo said in his inauguration speech, witnessed by regional leaders and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
U.S. State Secretary John Kerry, center, leaves the Parliament building after attending the inauguration ceremony of Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta. (Source: AP Photo)
Widodo, better known by his nickname of Jokowi, was elected with 53 percent of the vote, with most of his support coming from poor, non-urban Indonesians attracted by his simple demeanor and record of hard work as Jakarta governor.
Indonesia's seventh President Joko Widodo, right, chats with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, left, following his inauguration at Parliament in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Oct. 20, 2014. (Source: AP Photo)
A former furniture businessman, he is the first Indonesian leader not to come from the country's super rich, and often corrupt, political, business and military elite.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo waves to the media after his inauguration ceremony as the country's seventh president at the Parliament building in Jakarta. (Source: AP Photo)
Indonesia is the biggest economy in Southeast Asia, and about 90 percent of its 250 million people are Muslims, more than any other nation. After years of dictatorship, the country was convulsed by political, ethnic and religious unrest in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Since then, it has consolidated its democratic transition. While most of the country remains poor and inequality is rising, it is home to a rapidly expanding middle class.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, right, is hugged by his predecessor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during his inauguration ceremony as the country's seventh president at the Parliament building in Jakarta. (Source: AP Photo)
Outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's two terms in office saw democratic consolidation and a focused fight against Islamist militancy. But economic growth on the back of a commodities boom has slowed, and a recovery is being hampered by weak infrastructure, rampant corruption and red tape.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left, and his predecessor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono pray during Widodo's inauguration ceremony as the country's seventh president at the Parliament building in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Source: AP)
Widodo is targeting 7 per cent growth in the coming years. To get close to that, he will need bold reforms to attract foreign investment, as well as favorable external conditions. A looming problem is expected hikes next year in what are record-low U.S. interest rates, which could suck funds from the country, pressurizing the rupiah and spooking the markets. (Source: AP Photo)
Economists say Widodo must soon make a decision on how much to cut subsidies on fuel that unless trimmed will cost the government a budget-busting $30 billion-plus this year. The move will likely stoke protests from political opponents and could trigger street demonstrations.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo waves after his inauguration as the country's seventh president at the parliament building in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Oct. 20, 2014. (Source: AP Photo)
He also can expect resistance from opposition parties still smarting from the election defeat of their candidate, Prabowo Subianto. The coalition against Widodo already has captured most of the important positions in parliament and last month voted to end direct regional elections, a key plank of the country's democratic transition since Suharto was ousted in 1998.
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, right, talks to Indonesian President Joko Widodo as he leaves the Parliament building after attending Widodo's inauguration ceremony as the country's seventh president in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Source: AP Photo)
Members of the parliament raise and sing the national anthem during the inauguration ceremony of Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Oct. 20, 2014. (Source: AP Photo)
Indonesia's seventh President Joko Widodo, left, waves with his wife Iriana during a group photo following his inauguration at Parliament in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Oct. 20, 2014. (Source: AP Photo)
