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Jokowi’s ‘hatred' of foreign products raises eyebrows
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo encouraged Indonesian consumers to "love local goods" and "hate foreign products" at a coordination meeting laying out the national strategy for economic recovery.
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo attends a virtual dialogue with 50 global business leaders held by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Bogor, West Java, on Nov. 25, 2020. (Presidential Palace Press Bureau/Muchlis Jr)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo ruffled some feathers in the international community this week after inciting “hate” for foreign products, in what officials claim is just part of a bid to spotlight Indonesia’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector and make the most of the country’s large domestic consumer market.
Over the past few years, Jokowi has been forthcoming with his brand of economic nationalism, which permeates much of his domestic agenda and foreign policy.
But the President appeared to strike the wrong chord on Thursday, prompting observers to warn him about tailoring his messages so as to avoid alienating investors.
Speaking at a national coordination meeting of the Trade Ministry, Jokowi laid out a national strategy for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, in which he urged industries to prioritize the use of local components over imports.
He also said that branding was an important aspect in the success of Indonesian-made products, urging the nation’s 270 million-strong population to become “loyal customers” while calling on state agencies to amplify calls to buy more locally.
“Calls to love our own products must continue to be echoed [...] Also, echo hate for foreign products,” Jokowi said during his speech, which was later met with mixed reactions online and offline.
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