I’m no Dictator: President Jokowi

President Jokowi delivers a remarks at the Opening of National Pasanggiri and the 2017 Teenage National Championship of National Pencak Silat School (Persinas) ASAD, at Minhaajurrosyidiin Islamic Boarding School, Lubang Buaya, Jakarta, Tuesday (8/8) morning (Photo: JAY/ PR)

When delivering a remarks at National Pasanggiri (Tournament) and the 2017 Teenage National Championship of National Pencak Silat (an Indonesian traditional martial arts) School (Persinas) ASAD, at Minhaajurrosyidiin Islamic Boarding School, Lubang Buaya, Jakarta, Tuesday (8/8) morning, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo indirectly satirized the people who often give him unfair judgment on social media.

Before concluding his remarks, the President gave an opportunity to teen knights to raise their hands and come forward. “A knight should not be afraid. Please come forward,” the President said.

The President also asked not to push them to come forward. “Come here, don’t be afraid; I’m no dictator,” the President further said.

President Jokowi satirized the social media that currently often illustrates him as a dictator, an authoritarian man. “How come a face like this looks like a dictator,” the President told the participants.

Previously, in another part of his speech, the President reminded the teenagers to be careful with social media, in particularly when they post a status. “Please be careful. Do not offend other people. Do not insult, sneer, and  mock others,” the President said. All Indonesian people should not forget that they are all brothers and sisters.

The President also quoted his dialog with King Salman of Saudi Arabia that Indonesia has 17,000 islands, 714 tribes, more than 1,100 local languages, and 250 million population. “It is reasonable if there is a little friction,” he said. The most important thing is to clarify any arising issues.

President Jokowi also asked all to protect our ukhuwah islamiyah (Islamic brotherhood), ukhuwah wathaniyah (state brotherhood), and ukhuwah basyariyah (human brotherhood) because these are the strength of Indonesia.

On that occasion, President Jokowi received an honorary belt and a title of ‘Pendekar Utama’ (prime master) of Persinas ASAD presented by K.H. Abdul Azis Sulton Aulia.

Also attending the event were Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, General Secretary of Persinas ASAD Teddy Suratmadji, General Chairman of Persinas ASAD Brig. Gen. (Ret) Agus Susarso and Head of Minhaajurrosyidiin Islamic Boarding School K.H. Kasmudi Assidiqi. (FID/JAY/ES)(MMB/YM/Naster)