Jayapura, 2/6 (Jubi) – President candidate Joko Widodo will visit Papua to meet with the representatives of NGOs, students, religious leaders and to launch a volunteer group.
Jokowi and his running mate Jusuf Kalla were scheduled to arrive in Sentani Airport Jayapura on Thursday (5/6). Besides meeting the local figures in Jayapura, they were scheduled to visit Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency and Timika, Mimika Regency.
The chairman of Regional Council of PDIP Papua, Komarudin Watubun, said Jokowi was scheduled to meet with his supporters at Waringin Gymnasium, Jayapura City.
“Jokowi has decided to start his series of campaign from Papua because it is the region where the sun rises before it goes to other regions. In addition, he also wants to meet his supporters,” he said on the Monday night (2/6).
The Media Coordinator of Papua Volunteer for Jojowi (Lapak Papua), Jerry Omona, said Jokowi would also visit some traditional markets and meet with the local residents in Jayapura City to hear their aspirations.
On-the-ground visits, or blusukan, are his trademark and will be the hallmark of his campaign.
“Blusukan is not self-promotion as reported in the media. It is part of his style to be close to the people. He did it in favor to understand and listen their voices,” said Omuna.
He further said Lapak Papua with other voluntary teams in Papua would hold several activities to welcome Jokowi, including mobilizing thousands of supporters to vote Jokowi by distributing the leaflets and collecting the public signatures on the white cloth. The activities would be held in the central of Abepura, Jayapura.
“Papua residents joyfully welcome Jojowi. It is his second visit to Papua. At first on last 5 April for the legislature campaign,” said Omuna.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of Lapak Papua, Engelbert Dimara said this visit to Papua is not for non-purpose. Although the number of voters in Papua is smaller than other regions, but the active participatory of Papua residents is extraordinary,” he said. Based on their campaign schedule, Jokowi-JK will visit the other parts of Indonesia within a month after visiting Papua for the upcoming presidential election. (Jubi/Indrayadi TH/rom)
