A

mid rising sectarianism and religious intolerance, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo seems to have chosen an appropriate “weapon,” namely fashion, to assert his support for cultural diversity and pluralism.

Known for his flexibility in regards to traditional attire, Jokowi drew applause for the umpteenth time when he wore a Tanah Bumbu traditional costume from South Kalimantan during the 72nd Indonesian Independence Day celebration at the State Palace on Thursday.

Serving as the inspector of the flag-hoisting ceremony, Jokowi showed up in a black traditional shirt, red hand-woven sarong and a purple traditional cap, locally known as a peci.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla wore a traditional Bugis shirt with a green sarong. Bugis is an ethnic group from Makassar, South Sulawesi, Kalla’s hometown.

First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo and Kalla’s wife Mufidah Jusuf Kalla wore traditional costumes from the Minangkabau ethnic group from West Sumatra. Iriana wore a red knee-length dress, known as baju kurung, with songket [hand-woven fabric], while Mufidah wore a similar costume but with a different color, tosca.

Speaking to journalists before the ceremony, Jokowi said he wanted to show the world that Indonesia had a rich and diverse national culture.

“I want to let the people know that Indonesia is very diverse. This is Indonesia,” he said. “We know that our nation has hundreds of types of cultural attire.”

Previously, Jokowi surprised the public on Wednesday when he appeared at the House of Representatives’ annual meeting to deliver his State of Nation address wearing traditional Bugis attire.

While all invitees wore formal attire, either in a tie-and-coat combination or batik shirts, Jokowi showed up with a traditional black shirt with a red-yellow sarong and a golden-black peci. Meanwhile, Iriana wore a red Balinese kebaya (traditional long-sleeved blouse), complete with a traditional crown.

Jokowi apparently switched cultural attire with Kalla, who is a Bugis man, who wore a black beskap, a traditional tuxedo from Central Java, Jokowi’s birthplace.

Ikat Indonesia co-founder and designer Didiet Maulana praised the use of traditional attire in the two events, which he said should not be seen as merely sartorial elegance, but as a way to promote diversity.

“This shows our state leaders want their people to celebrate diversity and to look at our cultural richness,” he said told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Didiet said the traditional attire swap between Jokowi and Kalla at the House’s annual meeting symbolized that the two leaders were proud of their local cultures.

He added the transition from using formal to traditional attire during state events meant that Jokowi wanted to engage with the people.

“The attire is not merely about physical appearance but more about the meaning behind it,” he said.

Designer Era Soekamto said using traditional fashion for state events was a political strategy to counter religious radicalism.

“I think this is a very cool way to counter radicalism. It is the simplest kind of politics, highlighting that we have a lot of different cultures,” she told the Post.

Era also said Jokowi’s willingness to use other tribes’ cultural attire showed his respect for other cultures.

Political communications expert Hendri Satrio of Paramadina University said Jokowi’s strategy to attract people’s eyes was a good one, although it looked a bit “random.” “It looks more like a parade instead of a formal state event.”

Hendri said Jokowi deserved applause for his political strategy to get people to see him as a civilized President who broadcasts Indonesia’s cultural heritage to the world.

Whether it will boost his electability is another question because many people might consider his performance one of style instead of substance, he added.

Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki said it was the idea of both Jokowi and Kalla to exchange traditional outfits.

“It means that now it is time for our people to be more flexible. People don’t have to be Javanese if they want to wear Javanese outfits. You don’t have to be Makassarese to wear a Makassar outfit because all of us are one. We are all Indonesians,” Teten said.(ecn)