Jokowi Claims Political Volunteers Have an Important Role in Building Indonesia in Today's Memory, June 17, 2023

Portrait of Jokowi volunteers on the street. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Today's memory, three years ago, June 17, 2023, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) claimed that his volunteer supporters had an important role in building Indonesia. Jokowi assessed that volunteers could correct and evaluate policies taken by the government.

Previously, Jokowi had never doubted the strength of his volunteer supporters in political contests such as the presidential election. Twice in the presidential election, twice Jokowi won the fight. This narrative makes Jokowi believe that the strength of volunteers cannot be taken lightly.

There is no doubt about Jokowi's existence as the Mayor of Surakarta in the 2005-2012 era. That leadership made Jokowi's big name rise. His leadership, which is known as a humanist with a style of going out and in the village, is considered effective in improving the living conditions of Solo residents.

Jokowi then sought a new challenge. Jokowi's desire was answered. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), which is his political vehicle, asked Jokowi to run in the 2012 DKI Jakarta gubernatorial election.

PDIP considers the residents of DKI Jakarta need a leader like Jokowi. A figure who is able to organize and beautify Jakarta. Jokowi was then paired with Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) in the 2012 DKI Jakarta gubernatorial election and won.

Jokowi then benefited a lot as the leader of Jakarta. His leadership style that is pro-people never escaped the spotlight of the camera. His blusukan style brought admiration and was followed by many other regional heads.

Later, volunteers who voiced Jokowi to become President of Indonesia emerged. The boat was answered, PDIP then advanced Jokowi in the 2014 Presidential Election. The result, many volunteers moved to convince all people to vote for Jokowi.

The peak was Jokowi winning and becoming President of Indonesia. Jokowi also saw that volunteers, including those who were part of Pro Jokowi (Jokowi) had high militancy. He then had hope that volunteers would be active in building the country.

"I believe that Projo volunteers are not cardboard volunteers, they are really volunteers who (have) militancy, have a high fighting spirit, want to help improve this country. (Instruction) let these volunteer colleagues have a spirit, have a high militancy, they want to do good for the country. "

"From the beginning, we have always conveyed optimism, conveyed programs, conveyed what we have done. I think this is once again, this contest must be filled with contest programs, program contests, idea contests, ideas. I think this will mature and mature the way people do politics," said Jokowi as quoted by the ANTARA website, September 16, 2018.

Jokowi later praised the existence of volunteers supporting him on June 17, 2023. Jokowi considers volunteers not only useful during the election. However, volunteers have an important role in building Indonesia.

Jokowi considers that volunteers can correct and evaluate the wisdom made by the government. Volunteers can provide constructive input. All of this so that the aspirations of the Indonesian people can be lifted.

"For policy correction, for policy evaluation, for policy improvement, providing inputs regarding what is happening below to take a policy. This is really important."

"The importance of volunteers is not here only when it is a political matter, during the Pilkada, Pilgub, Pilpres, but in the process it must also be reminded. I am a normal human being who is full of shortcomings who often make mistakes, but if I am reminded again. The one who was wrong yesterday, sir, can be returned to the right again', "said Jokowi as quoted by the ANTARA website, June 17, 2023.