J

akarta Governor Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo has not only helped Jakartans through his populist policies and programs but has also paved the way for lucrative business opportunities for others thanks to his fame. Aside from displaying their admiration for him, some have used Jokowi's fame as a mean to earn money.

His life, told by others

A number of unofficial biographies and commentary books about Jokowi have been published since he ran for governor in 2012. The amount doubled after his victory with running mate Basuki Tjahaja 'Ahok' Purnama.

These biographies mostly discuss Jokowi's life and range from telling stories about his childhood in Solo, his career as a furniture businessman and his political career as Surakarta Mayor in Central Java. Some other books discuss Jokowi's leadership style and make predictions on any future presidential bids.

Some of the books are Zainuddin H.M's Jokowi Dari Jualan Kursi Hingga Mendapatkan Kursi (Jokowi From Selling Chairs to Getting Chairs), Bernard Taufani's Jokowi From Zero to Hero, Yon Thayrun's Jokowi Pemimpin Rakyat Berjiwa Rocker (Jokowi, People's Leader With Rocker Soul), Bimo Nugroho and Ajianto Dwi Nugroho's Jokowi: Politik Tanpa Pencitraan (Jokowi: Politics Without Political Imaging) and Burhanuddin's Perang Bintang 2014 (Star Wars 2014).

Jokowi, the movie

Despite initial resistance from the populist governor, a group of filmmakers have released a film about Jokowi's humble beginnings.

The film, directed by Azhar Kinoy Lubis and produced by K2K Production, follows Jokowi's life from childhood to adulthood.

Azhar claimed that the film was a family film and did not contain any political messages.

Although Jokowi expressed his objections against the film, he did not take any legal action to stop the film from being released. The film has been seen by more than 60,000 people in the country.

Jokowi versus Sukowi

After diligently broadcasting Jokowi's daily activities as a governor, PT Cakrawala Andalas Televisi (known as ANTV) has created a situational comedy show entitled RT Sukowi, which parodies the life of Jokowi as the governor.

RT (head) Sukowi is about a man named Sukowi (Jokodin) who becomes a neighborhood unit (RT) head in a housing complex in Jakarta and tries to the solve the problems of the residents.

Jokowi's impersonation

Jokowi has also been used as a marketing gimmick. Bina Sarana Informatika (BSI), for example, uses the image of a person who looks like Jokowi in its advertising material.

Commenting on people who look like him, Jokowi said, 'I am glad if there are people who can earn money for looking like me,' he said.

BSI previously plastered the image of a US President Barack Obama look alike in its advertisements.

Jokowi in pictures

A community, dubbed Masyarakat Galang Kemajuan (Development Support Society), in cooperation with Pewarta Foto Indonesia (Indonesian Photo Journalists), held a photography exhibition to show off pictures of Jokowi taken at various events.

The exhibition, which took place at Kasablanka shopping mall, was held in conjunction with Jokowi's 52nd birthday.

A photo of Jokowi dancing at a carnival in Surakarta was sold for Rp 30 million (US$3,000) during an auction at the exhibition. ' JP