TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Popular Reads
Top Results
No results found. Please check your search term and try again
Can't find what you're looking for?
View all search results
Popular Reads
Top Results
No results found. Please check your search term and try again
Can't find what you're looking for?
View all search resultsJokowi’s health draws attention during birthday celebration
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Under the weather: Indonesia’s 7th President, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, is seen in this undated
photo while reportedly suffering from a skin allergy. (KOMPAS.COM/Fristin Intan Sulistyowati)
F
ormer president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s appearance during his recent birthday celebration has sparked renewed speculation about his health, and whether it played a role in his decision not to enter the race for the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) chairmanship.
Jokowi marked his 64th birthday on Saturday at his private residence in Sumber Village, Banjarsari District, Surakarta, Central Java. The celebration drew hundreds of residents, who arrived in the morning with traditional food and local delicacies as tokens of affection for the popular former leader.
However, public attention quickly shifted to Jokowi’s physical condition. Visible swelling and dark spots on his face, coupled with the brief duration of his visit and his decision not to take photos with guests as he typically does, led many to question whether he was unwell.
His aide, Comr. Syarif Fitriansyah, confirmed that Jokowi was recovering from an allergic skin reaction that had caused facial inflammation.
“Visually, we can see there are differences in his appearance, but overall his physical health is fine,” Syarif said on Sunday, Kompas.com reported, assuring that Jokowi’s condition has improved in recent days.
Read also: Jokowi leads delegation to offer Prabowo's tribute to Pope Francis
Concerns over Jokowi’s health have simmered for months, fueled by viral clips from recent doorstop interviews in which he appears visibly fatigued and less energetic than usual.
