Stephff cartoon celebrated refreshing change in Jakarta

Ghofar Ismail of the Indonesian Embassy is completely mistaken. 

The coat of arms was adopted by the late president Sukarno as the national emblem belonging to all Indonesians as a country. However, Stephff’s cartoon depicts the politics of the Republic of Indonesia. Previously, it was basically in the hands of the elite – not all Indonesians. Now, President Joko Widodo as a little figure and popularly known as a man of the poor and minority takes the helm. 

Was that cartoon insulting to Indonesians? Not at all! It was a congratulatory note that all Indonesians should be proud of, a rare but possible opportunity for a “small” man to correct the ills. May the mighty up there protect him and help him to reach the ideal goal. 

Now, a simple man and popular governor of Jakarta – not a relative or in-law of a general – is president of the largest economy of Southeast Asia and a country that is a member of the G-20 major economies, has the world’s largest Muslim population and has the fourth largest population. As an Asian, may I tag along and share the pride of all Indonesians. 

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok