By: Ahmad Pahlevi) *
President Jokowi made another breakthrough. Who would have thought behind his calm smile, He was named the Asian of the Year 2019 by The Straits Time. This proves that the international community recognizes the leadership of President Jokowi.
The calm water washed away, maybe this proverb was suitable for Indonesian President Jokowi. Its role in leading the country often reaps controversy for the opposition. However, who would have thought behind his cool and calm attitude hidden a strong leadership spirit. In fact, he was awarded the title of Asian of the Year in Singapore’s Straits Times. This proves that the leadership of the former mayor of Solo cannot be underestimated.
Jokowi’s face is displayed on the front cover of The Straits Times in Singapore. Still on the first page, the newspaper says ‘respected leader, at home and abroad’. Fadjroel Rachman as the Presidential Spokesperson stated that the award was so prestigious. He added, if this gift is to realize the Five Work.
Social capital to realize this Five Work includes: human resource development, infrastructure, bureaucratic summary and regulation as well as economic transformation to achieve Advanced Indonesia, including the achievements of the four major economies in the world in 2045 (ie, China, USA, India, Indonesia), Fadjroel added if Indonesia is a Winner.
As a note, In addition to the gift from The Straits Times Singapore, Jokowi was included in the Top 50 in The Muslim 500: The World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims 2020. Praise and challenges also came from a number of circles, after Jokowi got the award. Through Instagram Jokowi expressed his gratitude.
Retno Marsudi as Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu) also congratulated Jokowi on the gift. Retno said the award was evidence of Jokowi’s leadership which was also recognized by the world.
Appreciation and praise also came from the Gerindra Party. Gerindra claimed to be proud because the award was given by the media which was considered to have credibility. He also advised that the award could be a supplement to resolve the nation’s problems.
Previously, the English-language daily from Singapore, The Straits Times, had rewarded the influential Asian figure “The Straits Times Asian of the Year 2019” to Indonesian President Joko Widodo. This award is valued for its active role and leadership in facing the geopolitical dynamics of the region.
Jeremy Au Yong as Editor of Foreign Issues at The Straits Times said, the election of Joko Widodo as an influential figure this year has gone through a fairly rigorous selection process and spent quite a long time.
A number of selection teams conducted long and hard debates to determine who should receive this gift. final decision and there is no doubt that President Joko Widodo deserves to receive this award because he is considered by many to be a unifying figure rather than a divider.
The Straits Times in its written broadcast explained that the award would be submitted directly to President Joko Widodo in January 2020. The Straits Times Asian of the Year award was the highest award given by the English language daily in Singapore to a number of influential figures in the Asian region.
Since 2012, the award has also been pinned to a number of figures and groups, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as Singapore’s first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, including a number of groups working in the field of technology development and disaster response.
While the Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore namely, Ngurah Swajaya revealed, the award was given for Jokowi’s success in several ways. One of them is the achievements of President Joko Widodo’s leadership at the international level. Namely leading the adoption of the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (ASEAN’s View of the Indo-Pacific) as ASEAN’s strategy to deal with regional geopolitical dynamics. That is what is suspected of making him recognized as a responsive and agile figure in handling domestic and global issues.
Not only that, according to Ngurah, the gift of an influential figure in Asia was given to Joko Widodo because he was considered a clean and simple figure. Jokowi’s Trademark with “blusukan” or sudden visits made him considered as a consistent leader in realizing various programs in practice.
This further strengthens if Jokowi’s leadership is not in doubt. Even foreign parties are sure, why don’t we? It is a pride to hear this shocking news. In the midst of the endless polemic of the country, Jokowi with his calm attitude was able to prove himself competent as a reliable leader.
) * The author is a social political observer