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Jokowi makes white-haired politician quip again, apparently in jest
Speaking at an annual Bank Indonesia (BI) gathering attended by the central bank’s governor, Perry Warjiyo, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto, the President said the current crisis engulfing the world had created headaches for world leaders serious enough to turn their hair white.
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo gestures as he delivers remarks during an annual meeting of Bank Indonesia (BI) with the central bank’s stakeholders in Jakarta on Nov. 30. (Reuters/Willy Kurniawan)
P
resident Joko "Jokowi" Widodo rehashed an allusion to white-haired politicians on Wednesday, although this time the line appeared to be intended as a joke.
Speaking at an annual Bank Indonesia (BI) gathering attended by the central bank’s governor, Perry Warjiyo, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto, the President said the current crisis engulfing the world had created headaches for world leaders serious enough to turn their hair white.
"I met world leaders during the Group of 20 Summit and they told me that they had terrible headaches from all the problems. All their hairs were turning white," said Jokowi with a chuckle.
Late last week, in a rally at the Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex, Jokowi told his supporters to vote for a "white-haired" leader in 2024, a reference that many believed to be to Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo.
“Vote for leaders who are willing to get down and dirty, those who are willing to put themselves in the shoes of the people,” Jokowi said.
“These characteristics are reflected in their appearance, such as too many wrinkles out of their concern for the people,” he continued, instructing the crowd to consider candidates whose hair had turned white from caring “so much about the people”.
At the Wednesday BI gathering, Jokowi said that despite ongoing crises, Indonesia would likely emerge stronger, given the monetary, fiscal and industrial policies that the government had rolled out so far.
