He said that he was a "local product" from Surakarta and not the child of parents from Singapore as reported by the "Obor Rakyat" tabloid.
Purwakarta, West Java (ANTARA News) - Jokowi fought rumors that were spread to discredit him as a presidential candidate.

He said before thousands of his supporters here on Tuesday, he was a "local product" from Surakarta and not the child of parents from Singapore as reported by the "Obor Rakyat" tabloid.

He said his father came from Karanganyar district in Central Java, while his mother was from Boyolali also within the regency of Surakarta in Central Java.

He added that at the age of 10, he was evicted from his home by the local government because the area where his house was located was to be used for the development of a bus terminal.

"I am a genuine local product from Surakarta and not the child of a Singaporean family as reported by Obor Rakyat," he said.

He also denied reports that he will eradicate teachers certification allowance and rice aid for the poor if he was elected as president.

"I will not eradicate the rice aid program for the poor but will improve it," he said.

The former mayor of Solo and currently governor of Jakarta noted that he will implement a free medicine program for the poor using an Indonesia Health Card system and also a scholarship program for the poor through an Indonesia Smart Card program.

He pledged that he will give an allowance for teachers of Islamic prayers in line with that of assistant teachers in state schools.

Jokowi said if he were elected president he will also improve the current outsourcing system that workers have complained about.

"There are a lot of problems burdening the people," he added.

He pledged if the people gave him a mandate to lead the country, he will solve the problems one by one.

Jokowi, with former vice president Jusuf Kalla as his running mate, will contest with retired army lieutenant general Prabowo Subianto, who pairs with former economic minister Hatta Rajasa, in the election scheduled on July 9. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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