Jokowi asks Jakartans to supervise him

Taking the oath: Joko Widodo (left) and Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (right)are officially sworn in as Jakarta governor and deputy governor,respectively, for 2012-2017 during a special plenary meeting at Jakarta City Hall on Monday. (Antara/Ismar Patrizki)Fresh from his inauguration as the new governor of the capital, Joko "Jokowi" Widodo addressed thousands of his supporters from a podium in the grounds of the Jakarta City Council on Monday, and asked Jakartans to closely monitor his work.

“I ask all Jakartans to keep an eye on me so that all of my programs can run smoothly,” said Jokowi who was accompanied by his deputy Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, both donning white official uniforms and black caps.

Jokowi also reassured the public that he would work hard to provide better health and education services as soon as possible.

Prior to this, Jokowi had said he would kick-start his much-touted “health card” and “smart card” programs within 100 days of his tenure as Jakarta's governor.

The cards, which have already been implemented in Surakarta, Central Java, where Jokowi used to serve as mayor, will be used to obtain free access to education and healthcare services.

Jokowi said the health card would guarantee that poor people would not have to pay for expensive health treatments or operations.

Former Jakarta governor Fauzi Bowo has asked the public to be patient and realistic in demanding improvements from the new leaders.

“People have to give time to the new governor to prepare his strategy. Don’t demand something that can’t be done in a short time,” he said during a recent interview with a local television station. (han/iwa)