Governor Joko âJokowiâ Widodo conducted a blusukan (impromptu visit) to Kebon Nanas in East Jakarta and Rawa Kendal Reservoir in North Jakarta on Tuesday
overnor Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo conducted a blusukan (impromptu visit) to Kebon Nanas in East Jakarta and Rawa Kendal Reservoir in North Jakarta on Tuesday.
It was the first time Jokowi conducted blusukan after the Constitutional Court's verdict last Thursday that officially named him the nation's seventh president.
Unlike his previous visits, this time, the president-elect was accompanied by Presidential Security Detail (Paspampres) personnel.
Jokowi's entourage included four large Transportation Agency motorcycles, two police cars, three black police cars equipped with rotator light bars and sirens, three Paspampres trucks, one minibus for reporters, seven cars from different television stations and one Toyota Innova car, which he boarded.
At least four Paspampres personnel stayed close to Jokowi as he walked around the reservoir development site. The personnel politely asked the dozens of reporters and residents to step back when they got too close to Jokowi.
'It's so hard to shake [Jokowi's] hand now. I guess it's different because he's president now,' one female resident complained.
However, Jokowi seemed relaxed and not bothered by the tight security.
'I don't feel much difference. It's not difficult for me [to conduct blusukan with Paspampres]. Maybe the Paspampres personnel are having a difficult time,' he told reporters jokingly during the visit to Rawa Kendal Reservoir.
Jokowi then asked one of the higher-ranked Paspampres personnel, Maj. Anan, to tell reporters of his experience.
'Pak Jokowi's style is new and very different. We are still trying to adapt to Bapak's character,' Anan said nervously, referring to Jokowi's fondness for being close to the people and his very informal style.
'Everyone must understand that Pak Jokowi has a new position now. We must follow the [standard operating procedure]. We must guard Bapak. Of course, everyone can take pictures and shake hands with Pak Jokowi. But they must show respect and be ethical,' he said.
It was apparent that Anan had not expected the spotlight to suddenly be thrown on him. 'I am not supposed to be interviewed by the media,' he quietly said after speaking to reporters, while Jokowi laughed apologetically.
Jokowi began to receive presidential protection last Friday. Paspampres assigned 25 personnel to Jokowi and 12 to his wife.
He previously said he was unwilling to be constrained by the new security arrangements and would keep on interacting with residents via blusukan.
For his first blusukan, he chose to visit Kebon Nanas, where the underground tunnel connecting Ciliwung River and East Flood Canal in East Jakarta was being constructed, before visiting Rawa Kendal Reservoir.
The 1.27-kilometer-long underground tunnel is expected to ease the load of the river into the flood canal and help reduce severe flooding in the area.
The construction has sparked protests from motorists and local residents. It has caused traffic congestion and has interfered with waterways in the neighborhood.
Jokowi was accompanied by Deputy Public Works Minister Hermanto Dardak during the visit.
'The construction has progressed to almost 30 percent. We hope to complete the tunnel next March,' Hermanto told reporters.
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