Jokowi's Desacralization of Power Favorable for Indonesia

Jakarta (Antara) -- President Joko Widodo's "desacralization of power" will bring in a renewed sense of hope for a better Indonesia in the country, former speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Sidarto Danusubroto, said. "Yesterday, after attending their inauguration at the MPR, Jokowi and Jusuf Kalla traveled to the Merdeka Palace amid a sea of cheerful people. This reflected how close the leaders are to the people," he stated here on Tuesday. Speaking to newsmen after attending a seminar here, Danusubroto noted that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo desacralizes power through his habit of practicing "blusukan," which translates to unannounced inspections in Javanese, since holding the posts of mayor and governor in Solo city and Jakarta, respectively. "Through blusukan, Jokowi does away with the prevalence of stiff, sacred and formal power," he noted. As a result, President Jokowi succeeds in gaining people's active participation, which occurs only when a power holder engages with the people, Danusubroto remarked. President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla took their oaths on Monday (October 20). Following their inauguration, they rode a horse-drawn carriage from Hotel Indonesia (HI) to Merdeka Palace. Thousands of people from Greater Jakarta areas and certain parts of the Java Island joined the parade. (*) Reported by Benardy Ferdiansyah