Joko Widodo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joko Widodo
|
|
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2019
|
|
| 7th President of Indonesia | |
| In office 20 October 2014 – 20 October 2024 |
|
| Vice President |
|
| Preceded by | Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono |
| Succeeded by | Prabowo Subianto |
| Governor of Jakarta | |
| In office 15 October 2012 – 16 October 2014 |
|
| Vice Governor | Basuki Tjahaja Purnama |
| Preceded by |
|
| Succeeded by | Basuki Tjahaja Purnama |
| Mayor of Surakarta | |
| In office 28 July 2005 – 1 October 2012 |
|
| Vice Mayor | F. X. Hadi Rudyatmo |
| Preceded by | Slamet Suryanto |
| Succeeded by | F. X. Hadi Rudyatmo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mulyono 21 June 1961 Surakarta, Indonesia |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations |
PDI-P (2004–2024) |
| Spouse | |
| Children |
|
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Family of Joko Widodo |
| Alma mater | Gadjah Mada University (Ir.) |
| Occupation |
|
| Signature |  |
| Nickname | Jokowi |
Joko Widodo (born Mulyono; 21 June 1961), often called Jokowi, is an Indonesian politician and businessman. He served as the seventh president of Indonesia from 2014 to 2024. Before becoming president, he was a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). He was the first president of Indonesia who did not come from a powerful political or military family. Before his presidency, he was the governor of Jakarta from 2012 to 2014 and the mayor of Surakarta from 2005 to 2012.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Jokowi was born on 21 June 1961. He grew up in a poor area near a river in Surakarta. This experience later made him want to help improve housing for people with low incomes when he became mayor. When he was a toddler, he was often sick. So, his name was changed to Joko Widodo, which is a common tradition in Javanese culture. The name widodo means "healthy" in Javanese. At age 12, he started working in his father's furniture workshop.
He finished his studies at Gadjah Mada University in 1985. A year later, he married his wife, Iriana. Before entering politics, he worked as a carpenter and exported furniture.
Political Journey
Jokowi was elected mayor of Surakarta in 2005. He became well-known across the country for his work as mayor. In 2012, he was elected governor of Jakarta, with Basuki Tjahaja Purnama as his deputy. As governor, he made local politics more active. He started unannounced visits called blusukan to check on things. He also made the city's government work better and reduced corruption. He launched important programs to improve life for people, like universal healthcare. He also cleaned the city's main river to help with flooding. And he started building the city's subway system.
In 2014, his party, PDI-P, chose him to run for president in the 2014 Indonesian presidential election. He chose Jusuf Kalla as his partner. Jokowi won the election against Prabowo Subianto, who disagreed with the results. Jokowi was sworn in as president on 20 October 2014.
Presidency (2014–2024)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Once he became president, Jokowi focused on making the economy grow and building new infrastructure. He also worked on big plans for health and education. In foreign policy, his government focused on "protecting Indonesia's independence." This included sinking foreign fishing boats that were fishing illegally in Indonesian waters. He was re-elected in 2019 for a second five-year term, again winning against Prabowo Subianto.
Economic Growth
Jokowi's government worked to improve the economy. They made changes to fuel prices to free up money for infrastructure, education, and health. They also tried to make fuel prices the same across the country, even in far-off areas.
His government continued a policy called resource nationalism. This means the country takes more control over its own natural resources. For example, they took over some companies that were controlled by foreign businesses. They also stopped the export of raw materials like nickel ore. This was done to encourage local industries to process these materials in Indonesia.
Building new roads, railways, ports, and airports was a big part of Jokowi's plan. In 2016, a large amount of money was set aside for these projects. One major project was the high-speed train project awarded to China. Other important projects included completing the Trans Papua road and the Trans-Java Toll Road. They also started building the Trans-Sulawesi Railway and the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road. A big plan called the "Sea Toll Road" aimed to develop ports. This was to help reduce price differences between the western and eastern parts of Indonesia.
Besides big projects, Jokowi's government also started a village fund program. Villages across the country received money for basic things like roads and water. This also helped develop tourism and local businesses to improve rural economies. His government also worked to make land ownership easier by giving out many land certificates each year.
In 2020, a new law called the Omnibus Law on Job Creation was passed. This law aimed to attract more investments and reduce complicated rules. However, some people worried it might weaken protections for workers and the environment. This led to protests in many cities. Jokowi said the law was needed to create jobs. He asked protesters to challenge the law in court if they disagreed.
In November 2021, Jokowi promised to stop and reverse deforestation in Indonesia by 2030. This was announced at the COP26 climate summit.
Political Developments
Early in his first term, Jokowi supported direct elections for regional leaders. He believed this was very important. His government has been described as a "big tent" government. This means it includes many different political groups, even some who were against him in elections.
After his re-election in 2019, some politicians suggested changing the constitution. This would have allowed Jokowi to run for a third term in 2024. However, by April 2022, Jokowi clearly stated that he would not seek a third term. He asked his cabinet members to stop talking about extending his term or delaying the election.
Jokowi's second term ended on 20 October 2024. He was followed by Prabowo Subianto as president, with Jokowi's oldest son becoming vice president.
Foreign Relations
.jpg)
Jokowi wanted Indonesia to become a global maritime power. This means he believed Indonesia should be a strong force between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. His plan had five main goals:
- Rebuilding Indonesia's sea culture.
- Managing marine resources well.
- Developing sea infrastructure and shipping.
- Working with other countries on ocean issues.
- Building up Indonesia's naval defense.
As part of this vision, Jokowi took a stronger stand against illegal fishing. He said Indonesia could not allow thousands of ships to fish illegally in its waters every day. This caused huge financial losses for the country.
Regarding the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, Jokowi said there would be "no compromise on sovereignty." He even renamed Indonesia's part of the waters as "North Natuna Sea." In June 2016, he held a cabinet meeting on a navy ship near the Natuna Islands. He called for more sea patrols in the area. Indonesia also worked with Malaysia and the Philippines to patrol the Sulu Sea together.
In the Muslim world, Jokowi asked Muslim leaders to unite and support Palestinian independence. Indonesia's Foreign Minister visited Palestine. Jokowi also spoke out against the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. He sent aid to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. In October 2021, Jokowi asked richer countries to share COVID-19 vaccines with poorer ones.
Capital Relocation
By April 2019, it was announced that Jokowi had decided to move the capital of Indonesia away from Jakarta. The new capital would be located in Kalimantan. It would be between the areas of North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kartanegara.
The Jokowi Effect
The Jokowi Effect (Indonesian: Efek Jokowi) is a term used to describe how Jokowi's popularity in the media influenced Indonesian politics and economy. When Jokowi was announced as a candidate for the 2014 Indonesian presidential election, his political party, the Indonesian Democratic Party – Struggle, became much more popular. In the financial market, his popularity also helped the Indonesian stock market and the Rupiah currency. This was because people saw Jokowi as someone with a good and honest record.
Family and Personal Life
Jokowi married his wife Iriana in 1986. They have two sons and one daughter. Their first son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka (born 1 October 1987), studied in Sydney and Singapore. He now runs a catering and wedding-planning business. Their daughter, Kahiyang Ayu (born 20 April 1991), studied food technology. Their second son, Kaesang Pangarep (born 25 December 1994), finished high school in Singapore and is an online video blogger. Jokowi has five grandchildren.
Some of Jokowi's family members have also entered politics. His son Gibran became mayor of Surakarta. His son-in-law Bobby Nasution became mayor of Medan.
Jokowi has been described as a Muslim who has a broad, open-minded view. He enjoys loud rock music. He even owned a bass guitar signed by Robert Trujillo from the band Metallica. This guitar was later given to the government. In 2017, the Prime Minister of Denmark gave Jokowi a Metallica vinyl box set as a gift. Jokowi paid for the record himself to avoid any issues, as it was considered a state asset. He is also a fan of other metal bands like Lamb of God and Napalm Death. He has been noted by many to look similar to former US president Barack Obama.
Awards and Honours
.jpg)
.svg)
National Honours
Star of the Republic of Indonesia, 1st Class – 2014
Star of Mahaputera, 1st Class – 2014
Star of Merit, 1st Class – 2011
Star of Humanity – 2014
Star of Democracy Upholder, 1st Class – 2014
Star of Budaya Parama Dharma – 2014
Star of Bhayangkara, 1st Class – 2014
Guerilla Star – 2014
Sacred Star – 2014
Star of Dharma – 2014
Star of Yudha Dharma, 1st Class – 2014
Star of Kartika Eka Paksi, 1st Class – 2014
Star of Jalasena, 1st Class – 2014
Star of Swa Bhuwana Paksa, 1st Class – 2014
Foreign Honours
Medal of Ghazi Amanullah – 29 January 2018
_-_ribbon_bar.png){kind=small}
The Most Esteemed Family Order of Brunei (DK) – 7 February 2015
Sultan of Brunei Golden Jubilee Medal – 6 October 2017
.jpg){kind=small}
Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste – 26 January 2016
Order of Abdulaziz al Saud – 12 September 2015
.png){kind=small}
Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim – 22 May 2017
Collar of the Order of Zayed – 17 July 2024
Grand Collar Order of the State of Palestine – 19 August 2024
Images for kids
-
Jokowi at the opening ceremony of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland on 1 November 2021
-
Joko Widodo and U.S. president Joe Biden, 1 November 2021
-
Jokowi visiting the destroyed village of Petobo after the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami.
-
Since 2019, a series of mass protests and civil unrests were held across the country against some controversial policies.
.jpg)
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Joko Widodo para niños
