MAN OF CONTRADICTIONS: JOKO WIDODO AND THE STRUGGLE TO REFORM INDONESIA

Part 1: The Rise of Jokowi - From Furniture Seller to President

INTRODUCTION: INDONESIA'S ENIGMATIC LEADER

In the sprawling archipelago of Indonesia—a nation of 17,000 islands stretched across the equator like emerald jewels on a cerulean tapestry—emerged a most unlikely political phenomenon. Joko Widodo, affectionately known as "Jokowi," defied Indonesia's traditional power structures and rose from humble origins to become the country's seventh president. Ben Bland's incisive political biography, "Man of Contradictions," peels back the layers of mythology and misunderstanding that surround this carpenter-turned-president, revealing a complex figure whose pragmatism both propelled his meteoric rise and ultimately constrained his reformist agenda.

What makes a furniture salesman become the leader of the world's third-largest democracy?

This question reverberates throughout Bland's nuanced exploration of Jokowi's political journey—a journey as winding and complex as Indonesia itself.

From Solo to Jakarta: The Making of a Politician

Jokowi's origin story reads like a political fairy tale. Born in 1961 to a timber collector in the Central Javanese city of Solo (formally Surakarta), young Joko grew up in informal settlements along the city's riverbanks. His family was evicted multiple times—an experience that would later inform his approach to urban governance. Unlike the military generals and political dynasts who traditionally dominated Indonesian politics, Jokowi's path to power began in a furniture workshop.

After graduating with a forestry degree, he established a modest furniture export business. The tactile nature of woodworking—where one must:

• Understand the grain of each timber
• Apply precision in measurements
• Demonstrate patience through the finishing process
• Adapt designs to changing market tastes

—provided an apt metaphor for his later political approach: pragmatic, detail-oriented, and adaptable.

The Accidental Politician

"I never dreamed of becoming president," Jokowi often declared, a statement Bland examines with both appreciation and skepticism. His entry into politics came relatively late, at age 43, when local business leaders in Solo encouraged him to run for mayor in 2005.

What distinguished Jokowi's mayoral tenure was not ideological vision but his distinctive management style. He introduced several governance innovations that would become his trademarks:

1. Blusukan - impromptu visits to markets, slums, and government offices
2. Relocation diplomacy - his patient, consensus-building approach to relocating street vendors
3. Transparent bureaucracy - including literal glass walls for government offices
4. Cultural revitalization - reinvigorating Solo's heritage while modernizing infrastructure

The transformation of Solo attracted national attention. Under Jokowi's leadership, the once-declining city experienced a renaissance of sorts. Tourism increased. Business confidence improved. The city's public spaces underwent significant revitalization.

"His approach seemed to offer a third way between authoritarianism and chaotic democracy—practical solutions delivered through consultation but with decisive leadership." — Ben Bland

Jakarta: The Crucible of National Politics

In 2012, Indonesia's capital beckoned. Jakarta—a megacity of 10+ million residents plagued by flooding, traffic congestion, and bureaucratic dysfunction—presented challenges of an entirely different magnitude. Yet political kingmaker Prabowo Subianto and PDI-P party matriarch Megawati Sukarnoputri saw potential in the popular Solo mayor.

Bland meticulously documents Jokowi's gubernatorial campaign, where he partnered with Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (known as "Ahok"), a straight-talking Chinese-Christian businessman. Their unlikely partnership—the soft-spoken Javanese Muslim and the brash Chinese Christian—captivated Jakarta's voters, who were desperate for authentic reform.

As governor, Jokowi brought his blusukan style to Jakarta's most neglected neighborhoods. He initiated health and education cards for the poor. He tackled the city's notorious flooding problems by clearing clogged waterways. His administration began construction on Jakarta's long-delayed mass rapid transit system.

The Making of a Political Phenomenon

What transformed Jokowi from successful local politician to national phenomenon? Bland identifies several contributing factors:

• Authenticity in an era of cynicism - His modest demeanor and simple lifestyle (he continued to wear inexpensive checkered shirts) contrasted sharply with Indonesia's typically ostentatious political class.
• Media savvy - Though not naturally charismatic, Jokowi intuitively understood the power of visual politics. His blusukan visits created compelling television.
• The outsider appeal - In a political landscape dominated by Suharto-era figures and their offspring, Jokowi represented genuine change.
• Economic pragmatism - He spoke the language of small business owners and market vendors, promising improved conditions without revolutionary upheaval.

As Bland eloquently puts it: "Jokowi offered Indonesians a vision of themselves as they wished to be—honest, hardworking, and forward-looking, yet respectful of tradition."

The 2014 Presidential Campaign: David versus Goliath

THWACK! BOOM! CRASH!

The soundscape of Indonesian politics in 2014 was cacophonous. The presidential campaign pitted Jokowi against Prabowo Subianto, a former special forces general and son-in-law of dictator Suharto. Their contest represented a clash of political visions: authoritarian nostalgia versus democratic pragmatism.

Bland's account of the 2014 campaign reads like a political thriller. Despite his popularity, Jokowi entered the race as an underdog. He lacked Prabowo's financial resources, established political machinery, and media connections. What's more, he faced skepticism from within his own party, PDI-P, where Megawati Sukarnoputri maintained tight control.

The campaign exposed Jokowi's vulnerabilities:

1. Political naïveté
2. Limited oratorical skills
3. Dependence on coalition partners with divergent interests
4. Susceptibility to smear campaigns (including false claims that he was Chinese, Christian, or communist)

Nevertheless, his message of "mental revolution"—emphasizing bureaucratic reform and improved public services—resonated with enough voters to secure a narrow victory with 53.15% of the vote.

KEY INSIGHTS: THE FOUNDATIONS OF JOKOWI'S POLITICAL APPEAL

• Authenticity as political capital: In a political system perceived as corrupt and elite-dominated, Jokowi's ordinary background and unpretentious demeanor became powerful political assets.
• Governance over ideology: His pragmatic, results-oriented approach appealed to voters weary of empty rhetoric.
• Symbolism of inclusivity: His partnership with Ahok suggested a more pluralistic vision of Indonesian identity.
• Technocratic populism: He combined popular touch with promises of improved government efficiency.
• The power of locality: His success demonstrated how effective local governance could create a pathway to national leadership.

The Presidential Transition: Great Expectations

When Jokowi was inaugurated in October 2014, expectations soared like Jakarta's increasingly vertical skyline. International media hailed him as "Indonesia's Obama"—a democratic reformer who would rejuvenate Indonesian democracy after the disappointments of the post-Suharto era.

Yet as Bland astutely observes, these outsized expectations failed to account for Indonesia's political constraints. Unlike Obama, who had lengthy political experience and a strong party behind him, Jokowi entered office politically isolated. His own party remained under Megawati's control. His cabinet reflected compromise rather than cohesion. The Parliament was dominated by opposition forces.

The First Cabinet: Compromise and Constraint

Jokowi's cabinet appointments revealed the political realities he faced. Rather than filling positions with reformers and technocrats as many had hoped, he balanced his administration with:

• Political party representatives demanding cabinet seats
• Megawati's preferred candidates
• Military figures (continuing Indonesia's tradition of civilian-military power-sharing)
• A small contingent of professionals and reformers

This "rainbow cabinet" highlighted what would become a central paradox of Jokowi's presidency: the man who ran as an outsider quickly found himself navigating—and often accommodating—Indonesia's entrenched power structures.

Economic Vision: Infrastructure and Investment

If there was one area where Jokowi demonstrated clear vision, it was economic development. Drawing on his business background, he prioritized:

• Infrastructure development - accelerating construction of roads, ports, power plants, and airports across the archipelago
• Bureaucratic streamlining - reducing Indonesia's notoriously complex business licensing procedures
• Investment attraction - actively courting foreign investors through international forums
• Economic nationalism - paradoxically combined with demands that resource extraction provide greater benefits to Indonesia

His signature economic policies included ambitious infrastructure plans—exemplified by the formula:

Economic Growth = Infrastructure Development + Foreign Investment - Bureaucratic Obstacles

With Indonesia's GDP growth hovering around 5% annually, Jokowi relentlessly focused on economic development as his administration's primary measure of success.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. How did Jokowi's background in furniture manufacturing shape his approach to governance?
2. In what ways did Jokowi's rise represent a departure from Indonesia's traditional political pathways?
3. What explains the gap between international perceptions of Jokowi as a reformer and the more complex reality of his governance approach?
4. To what extent did Jokowi's outsider status prove to be both an electoral advantage and a governing disadvantage?
5. How has Indonesia's historical experience with authoritarianism shaped public expectations of democratic leadership?

Foreign Policy: Maritime Vision and Pragmatic Nationalism

One of Jokowi's most distinctive early pronouncements was his vision of Indonesia as a "Global Maritime Fulcrum"—leveraging the archipelago's strategic position between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. This concept represented Jokowi's most original contribution to Indonesian foreign policy thinking.

Bland examines how this maritime doctrine manifested in several policy areas:

• Territorial sovereignty - His administration took a tough stance on illegal fishing, famously blowing up captured foreign vessels
• Infrastructure focus - Prioritizing port development and inter-island connectivity
• Regional relationships - Emphasizing Indonesia's role within ASEAN while maintaining strategic autonomy
• Great power relations - Pursuing investment from both China and traditional Western partners

Unlike his predecessor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who cultivated an international statesman image, Jokowi approached foreign policy through a domestic economic lens. His international trips focused primarily on trade and investment opportunities rather than global governance issues.

DOMESTIC POLITICS: EARLY CHALLENGES

While infrastructure projects broke ground and economic initiatives launched, Jokowi faced significant political headwinds during his first term. Bland documents several crucial challenges:

The Ahok Controversy

Perhaps no episode better illustrates Indonesia's religious-political tensions than the fall of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok), Jokowi's former deputy in Jakarta. When Ahok ran for governor in 2017, hardline Islamist groups mobilized massive protests against him after he allegedly insulted the Quran.

Jokowi's response revealed his political pragmatism:

• Initially supporting his ally
• Gradually distancing himself as protests grew
• Ultimately accepting Ahok's controversial blasphemy conviction and imprisonment

This episode exposed limitations in Jokowi's commitment to pluralism when faced with political pressure—a pattern Bland identifies throughout his presidency.

Balancing Civil Liberties and Political Stability

Bland critically assesses Jokowi's record on democracy and human rights, noting several concerning developments:

i. Using anti-pornography and electronic information laws against critics
ii. Allowing prosecutions of minority religious views
iii. Continuing impunity for historical human rights abuses
iv. Weakening the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)

Rather than strengthening democratic institutions, Jokowi often prioritized political stability and economic development—a pragmatic approach with troubling implications for Indonesia's democratic consolidation.

THE CHARACTER BEHIND THE CONTRADICTIONS

Throughout this first section, Bland provides insightful glimpses into Jokowi's personality and leadership style. He emerges as a study in contrasts:

• Humble yet ambitious - Maintaining a modest personal style while pursuing grand national projects
• Patient yet impulsive - Methodically building consensus on some issues while making snap decisions on others
• Democratic yet authoritarian - Championing popular representation while comfortable with concentrated power
• Modern yet traditional - Promoting technological advancement while embracing Javanese cultural concepts
• Reformist yet pragmatic - Seeking change within existing power structures rather than disrupting them

As Bland notes, Jokowi's leadership style reflects Indonesia itself—a nation simultaneously embracing modernity while maintaining traditional values, pursuing democratic ideals while harboring authoritarian tendencies.

CONCLUSION TO PART ONE

As Jokowi approached his 2019 reelection campaign, the "man of contradictions" had established himself as Indonesia's dominant political figure, yet questions remained about the depth and durability of his reforms. His pragmatic approach had delivered tangible progress in infrastructure and public services, but compromised on democratic principles and religious pluralism.

The furniture maker from Solo had successfully crafted a political career by adapting to Indonesia's complex political environment. Like a master woodworker, he had learned when to cut against the grain and when to follow it—a skill that brought him to power but also constrained his ability to reshape the system itself.

KEY INSIGHTS: JOKOWI'S POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

• Transactional pragmatism - Focusing on achievable outcomes rather than ideological consistency
• Development first - Prioritizing economic growth and infrastructure over institutional reform
• Power as instrument, not end - Using authority to implement practical policies rather than consolidate control
• Political pluralism with limits - Supporting diversity within boundaries acceptable to majority sentiment
• Results over process - Valuing tangible achievements above procedural correctness

In Part Two, we will examine Jokowi's second term, the challenges of COVID-19, and his complex legacy as Indonesia's first president without ties to the political establishment or military hierarchy.

MAN OF CONTRADICTIONS: JOKO WIDODO AND THE STRUGGLE TO REFORM INDONESIA

Part 2: The Consolidation of Power - Compromise, COVID, and Constitutional Reform

THE ROAD TO REELECTION: PRAGMATISM OVER PRINCIPLES

As Indonesia approached the 2019 presidential election, Jokowi faced a familiar opponent in Prabowo Subianto. But this time, as Bland meticulously documents, Jokowi was a fundamentally different candidate. The idealistic reformer of 2014 had evolved—or, as critics might suggest, devolved—into a seasoned political operator willing to make troubling compromises to secure victory.

The transformation was striking. Tap-tap-tap. Like a woodworker testing for structural weaknesses, Jokowi had identified and addressed his political vulnerabilities:

• Religious credentials: To counter persistent allegations about his Islamic commitment, Jokowi selected conservative cleric Ma'ruf Amin as his running mate—the same man who had testified against Ahok in his blasphemy trial.
• Military support: He cultivated closer ties with military figures, bringing several into his inner circle.
• Oligarch alliances: He reconciled with powerful business interests, including those with connections to the Suharto era.
• Social media strategy: Learning from previous smear campaigns, his team developed sophisticated digital operations to counter opposition narratives.

As Bland perceptively observes: "The 2019 campaign revealed not just Jokowi's political evolution but also the inherent tensions in Indonesia's democratic system—where electoral victory often requires compromising the very values that inspired one's political journey."

The 2019 Campaign: Hardball Politics

The presidential contest unfolded with heightened intensity. Religion featured prominently, with both candidates showcasing their Islamic credentials. Economic issues dominated debates, with Prabowo criticizing foreign investment policies while Jokowi defended his infrastructure push.

The campaign exposed a fundamental philosophical divide in Indonesian politics:

1. Prabowo's vision: Economic nationalism, stronger state control, skepticism of Western influence
2. Jokowi's approach: Economic pragmatism, strategic openness to foreign investment, technocratic modernization

When results showed Jokowi winning with 55.5% of the vote—a slightly improved margin from 2014—Prabowo initially refused to concede, claiming widespread fraud. His supporters staged protests that turned violent, resulting in several deaths in Jakarta.

The post-election tension highlighted Indonesia's democratic fragility. While the Constitutional Court ultimately affirmed Jokowi's victory, the episode raised concerns about deep polarization within Indonesian society.

THE SURPRISING RECONCILIATION

What happened next surprised even seasoned Indonesia observers. Rather than keeping Prabowo at arm's length, Jokowi invited his former rival into government, appointing him Defense Minister in October 2019.

This remarkable political reconciliation exemplified Jokowi's co-optation strategy. As Bland explains:

"By bringing Prabowo into government, Jokowi neutralized his most formidable opponent while signaling to other political elites that cooperation offered greater rewards than opposition. It was a masterstroke of political chess—though one with sobering implications for democratic contestation."

The cabinet appointments following his 2019 victory reflected Jokowi's increasingly pragmatic approach to governance:

• More than half of positions went to political party representatives
• Several posts were filled by business figures
• Military and police officials secured strategic roles
• Technocrats primarily occupied economic portfolios

Particularly noteworthy was the appointment of Nadiem Makarim, founder of ride-hailing service Gojek, as Education Minister—symbolizing Jokowi's embrace of digital entrepreneurship as a model for national development.

Governance Style: The Evolving Approach

By his second term, Jokowi had developed a distinctive governance approach that Bland characterizes through several key elements:

a) Centralized decision-making

• Relying on a small circle of trusted advisors
• Bypassing ministerial bureaucracy when possible
• Making significant decisions personally, often rapidly

b) Results-oriented metrics

• Demanding regular progress reports on key projects
• Setting ambitious targets with strict deadlines
• Publicly criticizing underperforming officials

c) Transactional relationships

• Offering political rewards for legislative support
• Maintaining fluid alliances based on specific goals
• Approaching governance as a series of negotiations

d) Limited communication

• Avoiding detailed policy explanations
• Preferring controlled visual messaging over press conferences
• Using carefully staged appearances rather than ideological speeches

This approach produced mixed results. On one hand, it enabled progress on infrastructure projects that had stalled under previous administrations. On the other, it sometimes sacrificed good governance principles and institutional development for immediate results.

The Omnibus Law: Economic Reform and Public Backlash

Perhaps no initiative better exemplified Jokowi's second-term priorities than the Omnibus Law on Job Creation. This sweeping legislation aimed to boost investment by:

• Simplifying business licensing procedures
• Reducing regulatory overlaps between national and local governments
• Liberalizing labor regulations
• Centralizing decision-making on investment approvals
• Providing tax incentives for priority industries

The law's passage in October 2020 sparked widespread protests from labor unions, environmental groups, and student organizations. Critics argued it prioritized business interests over worker protections and environmental safeguards.

Bland's analysis of the Omnibus Law controversy highlights Jokowi's evolving relationship with democratic processes:

1. The bill was drafted with minimal public consultation
2. Its massive scope (1,000+ pages) limited meaningful legislative review
3. Deliberations were accelerated despite pandemic restrictions on public gatherings
4. Civil society objections were largely dismissed as misinformation

The episode illustrated how Jokowi's commitment to economic development increasingly overshadowed his earlier emphasis on democratic deliberation.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. How do leaders reconcile pragmatic governance with democratic principles in developing democracies?
2. What does Jokowi's embrace of former rivals reveal about the nature of Indonesian political competition?
3. To what extent does infrastructure-focused development address Indonesia's fundamental economic challenges?
4. How can democratic systems balance the need for decisive leadership with meaningful citizen participation?
5. What explains Jokowi's evolution from reform-minded outsider to establishment accommodator?

Pandemic Politics: COVID-19 Tests Leadership

When COVID-19 struck in early 2020, Indonesia faced a public health crisis of unprecedented scale. The pandemic tested Jokowi's leadership approach and exposed significant vulnerabilities in his governance model.

Bland documents several problematic aspects of Indonesia's initial pandemic response:

• Delayed acknowledgment - In February-March 2020, officials downplayed the threat, with Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto suggesting prayer could prevent infection
• Decentralized confusion - Regional variations in restrictions created policy incoherence
• Economic prioritization - Jokowi repeatedly expressed concerns about economic impacts over public health measures
• Data transparency issues - Testing remained limited, with questions about case and death reporting accuracy
• Vaccine nationalism - Indonesia prominently featured in China's vaccine diplomacy, while also pursuing domestic vaccine development

The pandemic response revealed characteristic elements of Jokowi's approach:

Crisis Response = Economic Considerations + Centralized Control + Technological Solutions - Transparent Communication

By mid-2021, Indonesia faced a devastating Delta variant wave, with daily cases exceeding 50,000 and hospitals overwhelmed. The crisis highlighted systemic weaknesses in Indonesia's health infrastructure despite economic advances in other sectors.

THE NEW CAPITAL PROJECT: VISIONARY DEVELOPMENT OR HUBRIS?

Amid pandemic challenges, Jokowi maintained his commitment to a signature mega-project: relocating Indonesia's capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan. Announced in 2019, this ambitious plan aimed to:

• Address Jakarta's chronic congestion, pollution, and flooding problems
• Shift development focus away from Java to other islands
• Create a modern, planned city symbolizing Indonesia's future
• Reduce environmental pressures on rapidly-sinking Jakarta

Estimated to cost $33 billion, the new capital project (named "Nusantara") embodied Jokowi's infrastructure-centric development vision. Critics questioned its environmental impact, funding mechanisms, and prioritization amid pandemic recovery needs.

Bland offers a nuanced assessment of the capital relocation plan:

"The new capital represents both Jokowi's boldest vision and his greatest vulnerability to charges of misplaced priorities. While potentially transformative for Indonesia's development geography, it risks becoming a monument to leadership ambition rather than practical governance if implementation falters."

Democratic Regression: Institutional Weakening

As Jokowi consolidated power in his second term, Bland documents growing concerns about democratic backsliding. Several developments particularly alarmed democracy advocates:

i. Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) weakening

• New oversight board limiting investigative independence
• Legislative changes requiring prosecutorial approval for wiretaps
• Personnel changes removing aggressive investigators

ii. Civil liberties constraints

• Expanded use of electronic information law against critics
• Increased prosecution of dissenting voices
• Military and police involvement in pandemic enforcement

iii. Constitutional maneuvering

• Discussions about extending presidential term limits
• Proposals to eliminate direct regional elections
• Efforts to return to indirect presidential elections

iv. Academic and media freedom challenges

• Government pressure on critical research institutions
• Growing concentration of media ownership among political allies
• Self-censorship increasing among journalists

These trends reflected what Bland identifies as Jokowi's increasingly instrumental view of democratic institutions—valued primarily for their utility in implementing his economic vision rather than as essential safeguards of political rights.

Foreign Policy: Navigating Great Power Competition

In international affairs, Jokowi's second term coincided with intensifying U.S.-China competition in Southeast Asia. Indonesia's strategic position—both geographically and diplomatically—gained heightened significance.

Bland's account of Jokowi's foreign policy reveals sophisticated balancing:

• Economic pragmatism with China - Welcoming investment in infrastructure projects while maintaining territorial sovereignty in the North Natuna Sea
• Security cooperation with the United States - Joint military exercises and equipment purchases while avoiding formal alliance commitments
• Regional leadership in ASEAN - Promoting "ASEAN centrality" while pursuing bilateral advantage
• Selective multilateralism - Engaging international forums primarily when they advance economic interests

This approach reflected Jokowi's consistent prioritization of domestic economic development over ideological positioning. Unlike predecessors who sought prominent international roles, he viewed foreign policy primarily through the lens of national development needs.

The Widodo Political Dynasty: Family Politics Emerges

Despite his outsider origins, Jokowi's second term saw the emergence of family political ambitions—a development that surprised many early supporters. His son Gibran Rakabuming Raka was elected mayor of Solo in 2020, while son-in-law Bobby Nasution became mayor of Medan the same year.

These dynastic developments raised uncomfortable questions about Jokowi's commitment to political renewal. As Bland observes:

• The family members benefited from their connection to the president
• Their rapid political rise bypassed traditional career progression
• Their candidacies received substantial establishment support
• Their campaigns emphasized continuity with Jokowi's governance style

The emergence of a Widodo political family illustrated a paradoxical pattern in Indonesian politics—even reformist outsiders eventually adopt elements of the patronage systems they initially criticized.

KEY INSIGHTS: JOKOWI'S GOVERNANCE EVOLUTION

• Prioritization of results over process - Institutional development increasingly subordinated to tangible outcomes
• Expanding coalition of convenience - Bringing former opponents into government to neutralize opposition
• Selective democratization - Maintaining popular elections while constraining institutional checks and balances
• Development nationalism - Pursuing international cooperation primarily through economic benefit calculations
• Technical solutions to political problems - Addressing governance challenges through infrastructure and technology rather than institutional reform

The Pandemic Economic Response: Pragmatism in Crisis

When COVID-19 devastated Indonesia's economy in 2020, Jokowi's administration responded with pragmatic interventions:

1. Expanded social protection programs for vulnerable populations
2. Credit assistance for small and medium enterprises
3. Corporate tax reductions to prevent business closures
4. Infrastructure stimulus to maintain employment
5. Healthcare spending increases for pandemic response

The government temporarily suspended fiscal deficit rules, allowing spending to exceed 3% of GDP—a significant departure from Indonesia's traditionally conservative fiscal approach.

Bland notes that while these interventions prevented economic collapse, they also reinforced Jokowi's technocratic approach to governance. Policy responses emphasized technical solutions rather than addressing underlying structural vulnerabilities in Indonesia's economy:

• Informal sector workers received temporary relief but remained systemically vulnerable
• Digital economy growth accelerated but widened urban-rural divides
• Economic recovery prioritized large enterprises over small businesses
• Social assistance expanded temporarily without permanent social safety net reforms

Religious Politics: Strategic Accommodation

Throughout his presidency, Jokowi's approach to Indonesia's religious dynamics evolved significantly. Initially campaigning as a pluralist, by his second term he had developed what Bland terms "strategic accommodation" of conservative Islamic forces.

This approach manifested in several policy areas:

• Halal certification - Expanding mandatory compliance with Islamic dietary requirements
• Religious education - Increasing Islamic content in public school curricula
• Blasphemy enforcement - Allowing prosecutions of minority views to proceed
• Religious symbolism - More frequent public displays of personal piety

Simultaneously, Jokowi moved against certain hardline Islamist organizations, particularly those with explicitly anti-Pancasila positions. Most notably, his administration banned Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia and restricted certain activities of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI).

This balanced approach reflected Jokowi's pragmatic recognition of Indonesia's religious-political reality—maintaining theoretical commitment to pluralism while practically accommodating majority religious sentiment for political stability.

Environmental Challenges: Development versus Sustainability

Indonesia's environmental challenges intensified during Jokowi's presidency, creating tensions with his development priorities. Bland examines several critical areas:

a) Deforestation pressures

• Continuing land clearing for palm oil and mining
• Tension between conservation commitments and economic expansion
• Limited enforcement against illegal forest conversion

b) Climate policy contradictions

• International climate commitments alongside domestic coal expansion
• Renewable energy rhetoric with limited implementation
• Carbon pricing mechanisms introduced but with minimal impact

c) Air and water pollution

• Worsening urban air quality from transportation and coal plants
• Industrial contamination of waterways continuing largely unchecked
• Limited regulatory enforcement against polluting industries

d) Marine conservation

• Strong rhetoric against illegal fishing
• Marine protected areas expanded on paper
• Implementation capacity remaining limited

These environmental tensions illustrated a fundamental contradiction in Jokowi's development model—pursuing rapid economic growth while deferring environmental costs that would ultimately undermine long-term sustainability.

REGIONAL DYNAMICS: UNEVEN DEVELOPMENT PERSISTS

Despite Jokowi's stated commitment to more geographically balanced development, regional disparities remained pronounced during his presidency. Bland's analysis identifies several patterns:

Western Indonesia vs. Eastern Indonesia

• Java continued receiving disproportionate infrastructure investment
• Eastern provinces remained significantly poorer despite targeted programs
• Educational and health outcomes showed persistent regional gaps

Urban-Rural Divides

• Major cities experienced rapid modernization
• Rural areas saw more limited improvements in basic services
• Digital divide created new dimensions of inequality

Resource-Rich Regions

• Provinces with extractive industries faced environmental degradation
• Limited local economic benefits from resource extraction
• Continuing tensions over resource revenue sharing

Papua, Indonesia's easternmost and most troubled region, presented particular challenges. Despite increased infrastructure spending in the region, political tensions and human rights concerns persisted. Security forces continued heavy-handed approaches to separatist movements, while development benefits often failed to reach ordinary Papuans.

CONCLUSION TO PART TWO

As Jokowi navigated his second term, the contradictions in his governance approach became increasingly apparent. The furniture-maker-turned-president had shown remarkable political skill in consolidating power, neutralizing opposition, and implementing his development vision. Yet these very successes raised questions about Indonesia's democratic trajectory.

Bland portrays a leader who evolved from reformist outsider to pragmatic insider—adapting to and ultimately reinforcing many aspects of the political system he once criticized. His infrastructure achievements were undeniable, yet came accompanied by democratic compromises, environmental costs, and persistent inequality.

The COVID-19 pandemic both tested Jokowi's leadership and revealed its limitations. His preference for tangible solutions over institutional strengthening left Indonesia with impressive new infrastructure but weakened democratic safeguards—a trade-off with long-term implications for Indonesia's development.

As Jokowi entered the final years of his presidency, the question remained whether his pragmatic approach had truly transformed Indonesia or merely changed its physical landscape while leaving its fundamental power structures intact.

KEY INSIGHTS: THE JOKOWI DOCTRINE

• Development determinism - Believing economic development would naturally solve political and social challenges
• Elite accommodation - Bringing potential opponents into governance rather than confronting entrenched interests
• Personalized governance - Relying on leadership charisma rather than institutional processes
• Technological solutionism - Favoring technical fixes over systemic reforms
• Symbolic pluralism - Maintaining pluralist rhetoric while accommodating majoritarian pressures

In Part Three, we will examine Jokowi's legacy, Indonesia's trajectory beyond his presidency, and the broader implications of his governance approach for democratic development in Southeast Asia and beyond.

MAN OF CONTRADICTIONS: JOKO WIDODO AND THE STRUGGLE TO REFORM INDONESIA

Part 3: Legacy and Contradictions - Assessing Jokowi's Impact on Indonesia

THE WIDODO PARADOX: TRANSFORMATIVE OR TRANSITIONAL?

As Joko Widodo's presidency approached its constitutional conclusion, Indonesia stood at a crossroads. The carpenter from Solo had indeed remodeled aspects of the nation, but the question Bland poses with analytical precision is: Did Jokowi fundamentally transform Indonesia, or merely redecorate its existing power structures?

This final section examines Jokowi's complex legacy across multiple dimensions—economic, democratic, social, and geopolitical—revealing a presidency defined as much by its contradictions as its achievements.

CRACK! SWOOSH! THUD!

The sounds of construction that characterized the Jokowi era would eventually fall silent, leaving Indonesians to inhabit the structures he built—both physical and institutional. Bland's nuanced assessment helps us understand what might endure and what may prove ephemeral.

Economic Transformation: Infrastructure and Beyond

If there is one area where Jokowi's impact is undeniable, it is physical infrastructure. By the end of his presidency, Indonesia had undergone remarkable development:

• Transportation networks expanded
  • 1,000+ kilometers of new toll roads constructed
  • 16 new airports completed
  • 18 new ports developed
  • The Jakarta MRT and LRT systems operational
• Energy infrastructure enhanced
  • 35,000 megawatts of new power generation capacity added
  • Expanded electricity access to remote regions
  • Natural gas distribution networks extended
  • Renewable energy projects initiated (though limited)
• Digital connectivity improved
  • 4G coverage extended to 95%+ of populated areas
  • Government-sponsored Palapa Ring fiber optic network completed
  • E-government services dramatically expanded
  • Digital economy growing at 25%+ annually

These physical achievements represented what Bland calls "concrete populism"—delivering tangible benefits that citizens could directly experience in their daily lives. The strategy proved politically effective, contributing to Jokowi's sustained popularity despite controversies in other areas.

Economic Structural Changes: Mixed Results

Beyond infrastructure, Jokowi's economic legacy appears more ambiguous. Bland identifies several areas where structural transformation remained elusive:

1. Resource dependency persisted - Despite industrialization rhetoric, extractive industries and raw material exports continued dominating foreign exchange earnings
2. Manufacturing competitiveness challenges - Indonesia remained less competitive than regional neighbors in manufacturing, with limited movement up global value chains
3. Labor market informality - The majority of workers remained in informal employment, despite digital economy growth
4. Foreign investment patterns - Investment increased but remained concentrated in extractive industries, infrastructure, and consumer goods rather than advanced manufacturing
5. Income inequality - While poverty declined, wealth concentration among the top 1% increased

As Bland perceptively notes: "Indonesia under Jokowi built impressive new highways, but the vehicles traveling them remained largely imported, and the economic traffic patterns followed familiar routes."

Democratic Legacy: Accommodation Over Reform

Perhaps the most contested aspect of Jokowi's presidency is its impact on Indonesia's democratic development. Here, Bland's analysis is particularly incisive, identifying several concerning trends:

a) Institutional weakening

• Anti-corruption agency effectiveness declined
• Judicial independence faced increasing political pressure
• Civil service professionalization stalled
• Legislative oversight diminished

b) Opposition space contracted

• Critical voices increasingly faced legal harassment
• Civil society organizations encountered regulatory barriers
• Media ownership concentrated among political allies
• Academic freedom gradually constrained

c) Electoral democracy without liberal safeguards

• Elections remained competitive but increasingly influenced by money politics
• Direct voting maintained while substantive constraints increased
• Party politics dominated by personality and patronage rather than policy
• Democratic competition increasingly occurred within elite-defined boundaries

Bland offers this sobering assessment:

"Jokowi's approach to democracy might be characterized as 'democracy for development'—valuing democratic legitimacy while questioning whether robust democratic constraints on executive authority serve development goals. This pragmatic view helped deliver tangible progress but potentially at the cost of democratic consolidation."

The Authoritarian Temptation: Echoes of Development First

Indonesia's historical experience with "development first, democracy later" under Suharto casts a long shadow over Jokowi's governance approach. While avoiding Suharto's explicit authoritarianism, Jokowi's presidency showed concerning parallels:

• Prioritizing stability over political contestation
• Emphasizing technocratic solutions over political deliberation
• Leveraging state resources for political advantage
• Maintaining elite accommodation rather than structural reform
• Conflating national development with leadership vision

The trend toward democratic regression coincided with similar patterns across Southeast Asia, suggesting regional rather than merely national factors. Thailand, the Philippines, and Myanmar all experienced democratic setbacks during this period, raising questions about the durability of democratic transitions in the region.

Social Policy: Incremental Improvements

In social policy, Jokowi's presidency delivered meaningful if incremental improvements for ordinary Indonesians. Bland documents several significant initiatives:

i. Healthcare expansion

• National health insurance coverage reaching 80%+ of population
• Hospital capacity increased nationwide
• Community health centers (Puskesmas) upgraded
• Pandemic revealed continuing system weaknesses

ii. Education reforms

• Free education through high school implemented
• Vocational training expanded
• University scholarship programs enhanced
• Digital learning infrastructure developed (accelerated by pandemic)

iii. Social protection systems

• Direct cash transfers to poor families expanded
• Food assistance programs modernized
• Conditional cash transfers for education and healthcare
• Village fund program providing local development resources

iv. Housing initiatives

• Subsidized housing for low-income families
• Slum upgrading programs
• Mortgage subsidies for first-time homebuyers
• Public housing developments in urban areas

These programs, while not revolutionary, cumulatively improved living standards for millions of Indonesians. The pandemic response, despite its shortcomings, demonstrated the government's capacity to scale social protection during crisis—a significant advance from previous eras.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. How should we evaluate leadership that delivers practical improvements while potentially weakening democratic institutions?
2. Does Indonesia's experience under Jokowi suggest that developing countries face inevitable trade-offs between rapid development and democratic consolidation?
3. To what extent did Jokowi's personal background and leadership style shape Indonesia's trajectory versus structural and historical factors?
4. What does Indonesia's experience reveal about the challenges of reforming from within established political systems?
5. How might Indonesia's development have differed with stronger institutional checks on executive power?

Religious Dynamics: Accommodation and Management

Throughout his presidency, Jokowi navigated Indonesia's complex religious landscape with increasing pragmatism. Bland tracks his evolution from pluralist candidate to accommodator of conservative religious forces:

Early presidency (2014-2016)

• Emphasized Indonesia's constitutional religious pluralism
• Appointed religiously diverse cabinet
• Defended minority religious rights rhetorically
• Supported Nahdlatul Ulama's "Islam Nusantara" moderate vision

Middle period (2017-2019)

• Responded to Ahok controversy by distancing from visible pluralism
• Selected conservative cleric Ma'ruf Amin as vice presidential candidate
• Increased religious symbolism in public appearances
• Allowed blasphemy prosecutions to proceed

Later presidency (2020 onward)

• Balanced between moderate and conservative Islamic factions
• Cracked down on specific radical organizations while accommodating mainstream conservatism
• Expanded state role in religious affairs
• Emphasized "middle path" Islamic positioning

This evolution reflected Jokowi's political learning curve—recognition that in Indonesia's religious-political landscape, direct confrontation with conservative religious sentiment carried prohibitive political costs.

Foreign Policy: Pragmatic Nationalism

In international affairs, Jokowi's presidency marked a departure from Indonesia's traditional diplomatic activism. Bland characterizes his approach as "transactional diplomacy"—evaluating international engagement primarily through its contribution to domestic development goals.

This approach produced several distinctive patterns:

1. Economic diplomacy primacy - Foreign policy initiatives overwhelmingly focused on trade, investment, and market access
2. Selective multilateralism - Engaging international institutions when they advanced concrete national interests rather than for normative purposes
3. Great power pragmatism - Maintaining balanced relationships with China and the United States while avoiding alignment
4. Regional leadership limitations - Less emphasis on ASEAN leadership compared to predecessors, though maintaining Indonesia's position as the group's largest member
5. Sovereignty assertion - Taking strong positions on territorial issues, particularly regarding maritime boundaries

The most visible manifestation of this approach was Jokowi's personal diplomacy style. Unlike predecessors who embraced international forums, he approached international summits with notable pragmatism—sometimes skipping sessions unrelated to economic interests and focusing bilateral meetings on specific investment discussions.

"Jokowi approached international diplomacy like a business negotiation—focused on tangible returns rather than relationship building or ideological positioning. This delivered certain concrete benefits but potentially underutilized Indonesia's soft power potential in regional and global affairs."

Personality and Leadership: The Jokowi Method

Central to understanding Jokowi's presidency is his distinctive leadership approach. Bland's insightful portrait reveals several defining characteristics:

a) Detailed management

• Personal attention to project specifics
• Regular field visits to monitor implementation
• Preference for direct reporting rather than bureaucratic filtering
• Comfort with technical details over conceptual frameworks

b) Transactional relationships

• Evaluating political allies based on concrete contributions
• Flexible coalition building around specific objectives
• Rewarding performance with political capital
• Limited ideological commitments beyond developmental pragmatism

c) Communication style

• Economical with words, avoiding lengthy explanations
• Preference for visual communication
• Direct, sometimes blunt instructions to subordinates
• Limited public articulation of complex policy rationales

d) Decision-making patterns

• Rapid decisions on issues within personal knowledge domains
• Delegating in unfamiliar areas but with clear performance expectations
• Comfort with policy experimentation and adjustment
• Limited patience for procedural deliberation

This leadership approach proved effective for delivering tangible projects but less suited to institutional development or navigating complex value-laden social issues.

THE JOKOWI FORMULA

Bland distills Jokowi's governance approach into what might be termed a political formula:

Political Success = (Visible Development × Popular Connection) ÷ (Elite Accommodation + Pragmatic Compromise)

This formula served Jokowi well politically—maintaining high approval ratings throughout his presidency despite criticisms from democracy advocates, environmental activists, and human rights organizations.

Indonesia Beyond Jokowi: Future Trajectories

As Indonesia prepared for political transition, Bland identifies several important legacies that would shape the post-Jokowi landscape:

i. Infrastructure-led development model

• Massive physical infrastructure creating new economic possibilities
• Fiscal pressures from debt-financed development
• Maintenance challenges for newly built systems
• Expectations for continued infrastructure expansion

ii. Centralized presidential governance

• Enhanced presidential authority through coalition management
• Weakened horizontal accountability institutions
• Personalized rather than institutionalized governance
• Expectations of presidential problem-solving

iii. Elite accommodation patterns

• Reconciliation rather than reform of established power structures
• Integration of military figures into civilian governance
• Political dynasties (including Jokowi's own family) expanding
• Oligarchic influence in political funding and media ownership

iv. Sovereignty-focused nationalism

• Emphasis on territorial integrity and resource sovereignty
• Selective international engagement based on concrete benefits
• Balancing between great powers while maintaining autonomy
• Economic nationalism combined with strategic foreign investment

These structural and normative legacies would constrain and shape Jokowi's successors, regardless of their personal inclinations or political backgrounds.

Comparative Perspective: Jokowi in Regional Context

To fully understand Jokowi's significance, Bland places his presidency in regional perspective, comparing his approach with contemporary Southeast Asian leaders:

1. Compared to Thailand's Prayut Chan-o-cha: Jokowi maintained democratic legitimacy while sharing some developmental authoritarianism tendencies
2. Compared to the Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte: Jokowi avoided populist extremes while similarly centralizing power and prioritizing visible development
3. Compared to Malaysia's leadership transitions: Jokowi provided stability but potentially postponed necessary political reforms
4. Compared to Vietnam's collective leadership: Jokowi's personalized approach delivered implementation advantages but with institutional costs

This comparative lens reveals patterns common across the region: tensions between development imperatives and democratic consolidation, challenges of reforming established power structures, and difficulties balancing popular expectations with elite interests.

KEY INSIGHTS: THE JOKOWI ERA IN HISTORICAL CONTEXT

• Developmental legitimacy - Delivering tangible improvements as the primary source of political legitimacy, continuing an Indonesian tradition from Sukarno through Suharto to democratic era
• Elite circulation rather than transformation - Changing the personnel of power without fundamentally altering its structure or distribution
• Pancasila pragmatism - Utilizing Indonesia's state ideology as a flexible framework for balancing competing interests rather than as a transformative vision
• Democratic instrumentalism - Valuing democracy primarily for its ability to confer legitimacy rather than as an intrinsic good
• Technocratic populism - Combining popular connection with technocratic solutions rather than mobilizational or ideological approaches

The Personal Legacy: From Outsider to Insider

Perhaps the most poignant aspect of Jokowi's legacy is his personal journey. Bland's account captures the transformation of an outsider who gradually became the ultimate insider:

• The furniture manufacturer who criticized bureaucratic inefficiency adopted many bureaucratic practices
• The political newcomer who promised fresh approaches developed conventional political habits
• The reformer who decried corrupt politics eventually accommodated many corrupt politicians
• The man of the people who maintained modest personal habits presided over an increasingly elite-dominated system

This trajectory raises profound questions about political change in Indonesia and beyond. Can true outsiders reform entrenched systems, or does the logic of power inevitably transform the reformers themselves?

The Widodo Political Family

By the end of his presidency, Jokowi had established what appears to be an emerging political dynasty:

• Son Gibran Rakabuming Raka in a mayoral position (Solo)
• Son-in-law Bobby Nasution as mayor of Medan
• Family members positioned for further political advancement
• Business interests potentially benefiting from political connections

This development represented a striking departure from Jokowi's original positioning as an alternative to Indonesia's dynastic politics. Yet it also reflected a pragmatic adaptation to Indonesian political realities, where family networks remain crucial to navigating power structures.

Environmental Balance Sheet: Development at What Cost?

Indonesia's environmental challenges intensified during Jokowi's presidency, creating what Bland terms an "ecological debt" that future generations will inherit:

a) Forest coverage

• Continuing deforestation despite international commitments
• Peatland degradation despite restoration initiatives
• Protected area expansion on paper with limited enforcement
• Forest fires persisting despite prevention efforts

b) Climate policy

• Ambitious carbon reduction targets with limited implementation mechanisms
• Continued expansion of coal power despite renewables rhetoric
• Carbon pricing introduced but at minimal levels
• International climate funding secured but with questions about utilization

c) Urban environmental quality

• Air pollution in major cities worsening
• Water quality challenges despite infrastructure investment
• Solid waste management improvements but still inadequate
• Green space requirements frequently sacrificed for development

d) Biodiversity protection

• Endangered species protection efforts undermined by habitat loss
• Marine protected areas expanded but with enforcement challenges
• Wildlife trafficking continuing despite increased penalties
• Endemic species increasingly threatened by development projects

These environmental costs created what environmental economists term "illusory growth"—economic statistics that fail to account for natural capital depletion and future remediation costs.

Cultural Impact: Identity and Expression

Beyond politics and economics, Jokowi's presidency influenced Indonesia's cultural landscape in subtle but important ways:

i. Cultural preservation emphasis

• Revitalization of historic sites and traditional arts
• Integration of cultural elements into tourism development
• Support for creative industries utilizing traditional motifs
• Balancing modernization with cultural heritage

ii. Popular culture developments

• Digital content creation boom
• Indonesian film industry expansion
• Music industry growth and international recognition
• Gaming and animation industries emerging

iii. Identity politics

• Complex negotiation of religious, ethnic, and national identities
• Growing conservative influence in cultural expression
• Digital media enabling both cultural exchange and polarization
• Continuing tension between cosmopolitan and traditional values

Jokowi himself embodied these cultural tensions—a Javanese traditionalist comfortable with modern technology, a cultural nationalist open to global influences, a man of modest tastes presiding over increasingly conspicuous consumption.

CONCLUSION: THE MAN AND THE MOMENT

As Ben Bland concludes his insightful analysis, Jokowi emerges as neither hero nor villain but as a complex figure shaped by and shaping his historical moment. The carpenter-turned-president carved a distinctive path through Indonesia's challenging political landscape, building tangible structures while sometimes compromising on the architectural principles that initially inspired his political journey.

Jokowi's presidency represented a distinctive moment in Indonesia's democratic development—a period when an outsider achieved the nation's highest office but found that transforming the system required more than personal authenticity and good intentions. His experience revealed both the possibilities and limitations of change within established power structures.

The "man of contradictions" ultimately leaves a contradictory legacy:

• Economic development advanced while environmental sustainability retreated
• Infrastructure expanded while institutions weakened
• Elections continued while democratic constraints diminished
• National pride strengthened while political pluralism narrowed
• Poverty declined while inequality persisted

Perhaps the most enduring question from Jokowi's presidency is whether pragmatism without principled institutional commitment can produce sustainable democratic development. Indonesia's future trajectory will provide important insights not just for Southeast Asia but for democratic development worldwide.

THE FINAL ASSESSMENT

Bland's nuanced conclusion avoids simplistic judgment, instead offering a multi-dimensional assessment that captures the complexity of both the man and his impact:

• As development president: Largely successful in delivering tangible improvements
• As democratic reformer: Initially promising but ultimately disappointing
• As economic manager: Competent but favoring growth over distribution
• As international statesman: Pragmatically effective but lacking transformative vision
• As national unifier: Symbolically inclusive but pragmatically accommodating of majoritarian pressures

The furniture maker from Solo ultimately crafted a presidency that, like his finest wooden products, showed skilled workmanship and practical utility—yet the democratic edifice he leaves behind contains both solid structures and concerning weaknesses that will test Indonesia's resilience in years to come.

FINAL QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. What does Jokowi's trajectory tell us about the possibility of genuine outsider reform in established political systems?
2. How should we evaluate leadership that delivers material benefits while potentially weakening democratic foundations?
3. To what extent does Indonesia's experience under Jokowi reflect universal development challenges versus specific Indonesian circumstances?
4. What lessons might other developing democracies draw from Indonesia's experience during the Jokowi era?
5. How might Indonesia's democratic development have differed with stronger institutional constraints on executive power?

KNOWLEDGE TEST: MAN OF CONTRADICTIONS - JOKO WIDODO AND THE STRUGGLE TO REFORM INDONESIA

Test your understanding of Ben Bland's analysis with these 12 multiple-choice questions covering key aspects of Joko Widodo's presidency and Indonesia's development.

QUESTIONS

1. According to Bland, what was Jokowi's professional background before entering politics?
a) Military officer
b) University professor
c) Furniture manufacturer
d) Banking executive

2. Which governance innovation was particularly associated with Jokowi's mayoral leadership in Solo?
a) Digital government portals
b) Blusukan (impromptu visits)
c) Ministerial performance contracts
d) Public-private partnerships

3. Which political figure initially supported Jokowi's rise to national prominence but later became his rival?
a) Megawati Sukarnoputri
b) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
c) Prabowo Subianto
d) Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok)

4. What was Jokowi's signature economic policy priority throughout his presidency?
a) Agricultural self-sufficiency
b) Infrastructure development
c) Financial sector reform
d) Export manufacturing

5. In the 2019 presidential election, who did Jokowi select as his running mate?
a) Jusuf Kalla
b) Sandiaga Uno
c) Basuki Tjahaja Purnama
d) Ma'ruf Amin

6. What controversial legal reform did Jokowi support in his second term despite public protests?
a) Islamic banking regulations
b) Media ownership restrictions
c) Omnibus Law on Job Creation
d) Presidential term extension

7. According to Bland, how did Jokowi handle his former rival Prabowo Subianto after the 2019 election?
a) Filed legal charges against him
b) Appointed him as Defense Minister
c) Exiled him from Indonesia
d) Ignored him completely

8. What institution saw its powers significantly reduced during Jokowi's presidency?
a) Military (TNI)
b) Central Bank (Bank Indonesia)
c) Supreme Court
d) Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)

9. What mega-project did Jokowi announce that symbolized his ambitious development vision?
a) Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail
b) Trans-Papua highway
c) Relocating Indonesia's capital to East Kalimantan
d) World's largest solar power installation

10. How does Bland characterize Jokowi's approach to foreign policy?
a) Ideologically anti-Western
b) Primarily focused on economic benefits
c) Emphasizing Indonesia's global leadership
d) Militarily confrontational with China

11. What political development involving Jokowi's family surprised many of his early supporters?
a) His children entering business partnerships with oligarchs
b) His wife becoming politically active in women's rights
c) His son and son-in-law becoming mayors of major cities
d) His brother being appointed to multiple corporate boards

12. According to Bland's analysis, what fundamental tension characterized Jokowi's governance approach?
a) Military versus civilian authority
b) Islamic versus secular governance
c) Practical development versus democratic institution building
d) Javanese versus non-Javanese interests

ANSWERS

1. c) Furniture manufacturer
Explanation: Jokowi ran a furniture export business before entering politics. This background influenced his practical, detail-oriented approach to governance and his focus on economic development.

2. b) Blusukan (impromptu visits)
Explanation: Blusukan, or impromptu visits to markets, slums, and government offices, became Jokowi's trademark governance innovation as mayor of Solo. These visits helped him understand ground conditions and connect directly with citizens.

3. c) Prabowo Subianto
Explanation: Prabowo initially supported Jokowi's rise but later became his main rival in both the 2014 and 2019 presidential elections. Interestingly, after the 2019 election, Jokowi appointed Prabowo as his Defense Minister.

4. b) Infrastructure development
Explanation: Throughout his presidency, Jokowi consistently prioritized infrastructure development, including roads, airports, seaports, power plants, and ultimately the relocation of Indonesia's capital. This focus reflected his belief that infrastructure was essential for economic growth.

5. d) Ma'ruf Amin
Explanation: For the 2019 election, Jokowi selected Ma'ruf Amin, a conservative Islamic cleric who had previously testified against Ahok in his blasphemy trial. This choice reflected Jokowi's pragmatic approach to addressing religious criticisms.

6. c) Omnibus Law on Job Creation
Explanation: The Omnibus Law on Job Creation was a sweeping legislation aimed at boosting investment by simplifying regulations and liberalizing labor laws. Despite significant public protests, Jokowi strongly supported the law as essential for economic development.

7. b) Appointed him as Defense Minister
Explanation: In a surprising move that exemplified Jokowi's political pragmatism, he appointed his former rival Prabowo Subianto as Defense Minister after the 2019 election, effectively neutralizing his most powerful opponent.

8. d) Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)
Explanation: During Jokowi's presidency, the previously powerful and independent Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) saw its authority significantly reduced through legislative changes that limited its investigative capabilities and independence.

9. c) Relocating Indonesia's capital to East Kalimantan
Explanation: In 2019, Jokowi announced plans to relocate Indonesia's capital from Jakarta to a new planned city in East Kalimantan (named "Nusantara"). This ambitious mega-project symbolized his development vision and desire to shift development away from Java.

10. b) Primarily focused on economic benefits
Explanation: Bland characterizes Jokowi's foreign policy as pragmatic and transactional, primarily focused on securing economic benefits like trade and investment rather than pursuing ideological positions or global leadership roles.

11. c) His son and son-in-law becoming mayors of major cities
Explanation: Despite his outsider origins, Jokowi's son Gibran Rakabuming Raka was elected mayor of Solo in 2020, while his son-in-law Bobby Nasution became mayor of Medan the same year, suggesting the emergence of a political dynasty.

12. c) Practical development versus democratic institution building
Explanation: According to Bland, Jokowi's presidency was characterized by a fundamental tension between delivering tangible development outcomes and strengthening democratic institutions. His pragmatic focus on concrete results often came at the expense of institutional reform and democratic consolidation.