Jokowi in Lampung: I Haven't Changed, Still a Village Man

Former Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) attended a gathering at the Nurul Qodiri Islamic Boarding School in Central Lampung Regency, Lampung, on Sunday. In his remarks, Jokowi expressed deep gratitude for the warm welcome from the school’s leadership, staff, students, and the community who packed the venue. He asserted that he remains the same person as before, despite having served two terms as the country’s number one official. ‘I am still like before, still a village man, still a person from the countryside. So when I come to Lampung, to Lampung Province, I come here because indeed my world, my environment is like what I just said,’ he stated. Jokowi noted that many Lampung residents regularly visit his private residence in Sumber, Solo, and that his presence at the boarding school was a moment to ease the longing of those who wished to meet him directly. He explained that the visit was also to fulfil an invitation from the school’s leadership and to strengthen ties with communities from various regions across Lampung Province. The visit to Nurul Qodiri concluded Jokowi’s three-day safari in Lampung, which included attending a PSI consolidation meeting, receiving the traditional title ‘Baginda Pemuka Bangsa’ from five Lampung traditional kingdoms, and meeting with volunteers, traditional leaders, and small business operators before returning to Solo.