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Jokowi aware of declining popularity
President Joko âJokowiâ Widodo said he was fully aware of his declining popularity because of unpopular policies he had introduced in the past six months
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resident Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo said he was fully aware of his declining popularity because of unpopular policies he had introduced in the past six months.
He said, however, that the policies were correct and would have positive impacts in years to come, he said in a speech at state-owned TVRI's auditorium in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Monday night.
He insisted that it did not matter if his policies were unpopular as long as they eventually benefitted the majority of people.
'We have to swallow bitter pills, be patient and make sacrifices to make changes. Courage is necessary and if need be, I make a decision,' he said as quoted by kompas.com.
He gave as an example his decision to cut the fuel subsidy to make the state budget more efficient. He said he dared to lift the fuel subsidy because Rp 300 trillion annually could be saved annually and the funds could be used to finance productive projects for the sake of the people.
'You will see our performance in the next three to four years. If I am proved wrong, you can replace me,' he told the audience. (rms)(+++)
