Open Letter to Mr Joko Widodo

Dear Mr Joko Widodo,

First of all, congratulations for you have been confirmed as the winner of July 9 president election at Constitutional Court,  Jakarta, from the deepest of my heart I wish all best and hoping my country will be much better in the future. I am sorry for did not participate to vote since I've lost my trust to Indonesian government many years ago. It was not your fault nor the other president candidate. It was just a matter of my choice.
I have things to share which is bothering me lately. It is not about me actually. It is about my oldest brother. He just have told me that his oldest son had failed for police academy's test. I asked him why. And suddenly his statement just like rock hitting on my head. He did not have sum of money  to pay bribery which was Rp 250,000,000 (two hundreds million and fifty thousands rupiahs) and equivalent to USD 21,385,8 . That was a lot money for him who just earns money by selling goats. Especially for someone who lives in a small village in Enrekang, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Mr Widodo - or probably you will prefer I call you by name Jokowi, the nickname that you have found  the fame when started your campaigning as a mayor in Solo and then Jakarta's governor election- I already have had cold hearted about what is happening in Indonesia such as bribery, corruption, and these kinds of illegal things that tarnished the whole systems.

But, it does not stopped me to tell you that even though I already am being pessimistic about how you would be able to change these things for a better future, there are many Indonesians put their hopes for you. One of them is my brother. His vote was one that makes where you are at now. He lifts up his dreams that Indonesian government will do something differently.

I am telling you this because I don't want your perfect image on him suddenly being smeared. He does not ask money from you, Mr Jokowi. He hasn't even started yet demanding you doing something after being elected.

He only has one concerned. His sons and their future. Dear Mr Jokowi, I took care of my nephews when they were still babies. They are good boys. And I do not want bribery will changed their attitudes. Imagine yourself, if his father could get money to pay bribery, after his son has been accepted the one thing the son will do that how to make these money is back. It is not easy money after all. And, I am afraid he will going to do anything just for money. I won't be able to stand seeing these boys who grown up in my care became an evil person. Please, do not let it happens.

Mr Jokowi,

I remembered when you came to Tribunnews.com's office before you were being elected as Governor of Jakarta. You seemed like a nice person while I wasn't sure yet at that time. Indonesian politic bleeds my heart. It's been broken from many years ago. I could not recovered from it no matter how much I have tried.

But you were surprised me. You shook people's hands at work including me. You handed your business cards to everyone. They were happy you came to visit and just like an old friend, you were willing to pose for pictures with my fellow's co-workers.

Mr Jokowi,

I am sure you have a lot of work needed to be done. I am an outsider now, watching ongoing politics dynamic in Indonesia from the distance. I am tired of a lot horrible things happened for over decades. I wanted a new Indonesia and seems like you are the one will take over this responsibility.

Only one of one hope I wanted you know. Please, try to change all systems in Indonesia. It's been crooked for years and I've had enough for all these matters. I wanted my nephew, who has a dream to be a policeman, will be able to join the academy without any obligation to payback. If he failed because wasn't meant to and not because he doesn't have money to pay the bribery, so be it.

I am wishing you all the best for a better future in Indonesia

Kindly Regards,

Widiyabuana Slay