AntaraYogyakarta (ANTARA) - Presidential candidate number 01 Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized that a leader must be a vanguard in the face of obstacles and not spread pessimism.
"However big the obstacle being faced is, the leader must be at the front. Do not send vibes to the people to be pessimistic, and do not scare them," Jokowi remarked at the Kridosono Stadium in Yogyakarta on Saturday.
Jokowi made the statement while raising the thumb on stage before some 30 thousand people, who had gathered at the Kridosono Stadium to express support to the presidential and vice presidential candidate pair number 01 Jokowi-Maruf Amin.
Several figures also present at the location included Pramono Anung, Basuki Hadi Mulyono, Budi Karya Sumadi, Slamet Rahardjo, Hanung Bramantyo, Djadjuk Ferianto, and Yenni Wahid along with other figures and artists.
"Do not think it is easy to manage a country the size of Indonesia, right? However, the most important thing is that the leader must be able to project an aura of optimism to the people and to not spread feelings of pessimism or fear, by saying Indonesia will dissolve in 2030," Jokowi pointed out.
Jokowi admitted that since the start of his term in 2014, numerous slanders and false news about him were spread, but he chose to remain silent.
"I have remained silent for 4.5 years. I have been at the receiving end of slander, been the target of blasphemy, yet I am silent, but I say today in Yogya, I will be an opponent!" Jokowi stated loudly.
There was an attempt at defaming Jokowi, for instance, in connection with the ownership of several coral reefs in South Natuna that are said to be entering the South China Sea.
"I remember when I had brought our warship and visited Natuna and said that Natuna was Indonesian territory. There was no fear in my heart to do that, "Jokowi stressed.
Jokowi believes the resistance was not for himself but for the entire Indonesian people.
"Remember once again, I will fight, not for myself, but for the country," Jokowi affirmed.
In addition to delivering the declaration, the event was also enlivened by musicians Juki Kill the DJ, Djaduk Ferianto gamelan orchestra, musician Sri Krishna, legendary music group God Bless led by Ahmad Albar, Ian Antono, and other musicians.
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
