JAKARTA. President-elect Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo met with the Indonesian Chinese Association (INTI) at the Ritz Carlton late Sunday. The organizers said that the meeting was an attempt to strengthen ties between different social groups, an effort inspired by the country’s slogan Bhineka Tunggal Ika.

During the meeting, INTI founder Benny Gatot Setiono said the election of Jokowi was extraordinary as he was someone from outside the political elite of political parties, the military, royalty or business. 

“This shows anyone can be president,” Benny said. 

Benny said that INTI hoped for bureaucratic reform and simplified regulations to support business. They also hoped Jokowi would remain “a simple honest president close to the people”. The INTI association had also presented Rp 100 million each to each gold medalist of the Indonesian team at the Asian Games.

Jokowi wrote his signature on one of the barogsai during the performance of a world-famous dragon dancing troupe. (anr)

Editor: Yudho Winarto