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Jokowi 'not worried' if popularity declines
President Joko âJokowiâ Widodo has said he would not be bothered if he lost his popularity
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President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo has said he would not be bothered if he lost his popularity.
The former Jakarta governor made his comments in response to a question about what he would do if his recent controversial policies, such as the fuel-subsidy cut, turned people against him.
Jokowi replied that the government's policy to cut fuel subsidies was intended to save the state budget. 'Based on my calculations, the current fuel subsidies, which amount to to Rp 1.3 quadrillion (US$102.81 billion), can be used to build dams, airports and railways,' he said during the opening of the 15th national meeting of the Association of Young Indonesian Businessmen (Hipmi) in Bandung on Monday.
Jokowi said he was fully aware that the policy was not popular among the public. He insisted, however, that the policy must go ahead. 'I've been told that if fuel prices increase, my popularity will decline. But I'm not working for popularity; I'm working for the people,' he said.
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician added that he didn't dwell on personal popularity. 'I don't think about popularity. What is the benefit of popularity in my job? Nothing,' he said. (ebf)(++++)
