TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Amidst sharp criticisms over Joko Widodo (Jokowi) from the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), Washington Post published an article praising the Jakarta governor. The US-based media released an article entitled the Jokowi Effect by Tom Pepinsky, a Cornell University political scientist.

The media wrote that Jokowi's popularity had skyrocketed following to disappointing performance by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who was expected to bring the wind of change. Jokowi is considered to be untainted by corruption during his leadership as a mayor of Solo.

Jokowi's popularity effect went viral; making political arena in Indonesia became more competitive. Unlike President Susilo, who ran for presidential election through the Democrat Party, Jokowi's path to sit as the president will be easier as he does not have to build a party organization from scratch.

Washington Post also wrote that the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), in turn, will use the Jokowi candidacy to build strength in the House of Representatives. By the large number of votes collected in the legislative election, or seats in the parliament, the PDI-P will not have to build a coalition.

The media wrote an endnote about the election in Indonesia. Jokowi's team is predicted to have less work on building Jokowi's popularity. The so-called 'Jokowi effect' might threaten other candidates from other parties.

WASHINGTON POST | MUSTAFA SILALAHI