Jusuf Kalla Claims to Have Prevented Jokowi from Becoming President in Today's History, May 25, 2014

JAKARTA - History today, 12 years ago, May 25, 2014, political figure, Jusuf Kalla (JK) claims to have banned Joko Widodo (Jokowi) who is the Governor of DKI Jakarta from being a presidential candidate (capres). This narrative was revealed by JK because Jokowi was only two months old when he was inaugurated as Governor of Jakarta and there was already a push to run for the 2014 presidential election.

Previously, Jokowi was known as a veteran politician. The narrative came because Jokowi had never lost in political contests. His popularity is high. He was able to become the Mayor of Surakarta. He was also able to become the Governor of DKI Jakarta.

No one doubts Jokowi's prowess in political contests. He is known as a politician who is always able to attract public attention. This narrative is proven when Jokowi wants to become the Mayor of Surakarta.

This condition led him to lead Surakarta for two periods from 2005 to 2012. His leadership is also remembered and followed by other leaders. All of this is because Jokowi is considered good at spending problems and making policies.

Jokowi uses the blusukan movement. The food coming in and out of the village makes Jokowi understand all kinds of problems experienced by the community. As a result, he is able to formulate various forms of pro-people policies.

Jokowi's success in leading Surakarta made him look at a new dream. He was supported by many parties to immediately achieve the desire to seize the position of Jakarta Capital City leader. The narrative was received positively by the party he was under, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP).

Jokowi was also given the blessing to run as a candidate with Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) and won in 2012. Jokowi's leadership in DKI Jakarta then received a positive response. All kinds of Jokowi's movements received attention from the media crew.

This condition made Jokowi's popularity increase sharply. The discourse of Jokowi running in the 2014 presidential election also emerged. He was then paired with Jusuf Kalla. The two carried out a Mental Revolution mission.

"The main theme of the Jokowi-JK 2014 campaign, which carries the Mental Revolution, can be interpreted that the government places the population as the central issue of development in the next five years. Because in fact, it is the population's mentality that is hoped to undergo a revolution through various appropriate policy interventions. The launch of the Smart Indonesian Card (KIP) Program, Healthy Indonesian Card (KIS), and Prosperous Family Card (KKS) is not only to improve the quality of life of poor and vulnerable people, but also can be a key instrument in the mental revolution," said Sonny Harry B. Harmadi and Riant Nugroho in the book Population Policy: Practices and Challenges (2020).

Jusuf Kalla also considered that his duet with Jokowi would bring victory. However, Jk previously claimed to have prohibited Jokowi from becoming a presidential candidate. The story was revealed by JK on May 25, 2014.

The ban that JK referred to occurred when Jokowi had just been inaugurated as the Governor of DKI Jakarta two months ago. He considered that Jokowi had to prove himself in Jakarta and not think about the 2014 Presidential Election.

Later, JK saw that Jokowi was worthy of being the presidential candidate. Jokowi was considered to understand state affairs. This condition made him think no longer when he received an offer to accompany Jokowi.

"That was a statement 1.5 years ago, when he had only been governor for two months. Now it's been two years, and his ability has been seen. However, for two years, Jokowi has been able to show his qualities as a leader, so there is no harm in now running for president," said JK as quoted by lamantempo.co, May 25, 2014.