Foke has no idea what giving the middle finger means

A picture of Jakarta Governor Fauzi “Foke” Bowo and a band member giving the middle finger. (Tempo.co)

A picture of Jakarta Governor Fauzi “Foke” Bowo and band members giving the middle finger spread among Twitter users on Monday, sparking comments and critiques from the social media’s users. 

The governor, who holds a doctorate degree from Technische Universität Kaiserslautern in Germany, claimed that he had no idea what the gesture meant. 

“I had no idea what the gesture means, even until now. I just followed the band members gesturing the middle finger. Apparently all band members do that, don’t they?” he said Monday after visiting SMA 89 high school in East Jakarta. 

Jakarta administration spokesman Cucu Ahmad Kurnia confirmed that the man in the picture was indeed the governor, who was photographed during a newspaper’s anniversary celebration in Senayan. He was asked to come on stage to give away door prizes. 

Cucu said that the governor had no particular motive behind the gesture. 

“He was joking while talking with motorcycle club members and there was also a band competition. Many people laughed at him,” Cucu said as quoted by tempo.co. (swd)