A Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporter recently joined Indonesian President Joko Widodo in an inspection tour at a traditional market in Bali and was able to witness first-hand local people’s love for the leader they affectionately call ‘bapak,’ or father.

Tuoi Tre was the only Vietnamese newspaper and one of a few foreign newspapers accompanying President Widodo at Badung market on Thursday, just one day after the most intense G20 Summit ever ended.

Badung is the largest covered traditional market on the island of Bali, consisting of four floors selling all kinds of goods.

The Balinese showed up early at the market and lined up neatly to wait for ‘bapak’ Jokowi.

'Bapak' in Bahasa Indonesia means ‘gentleman’ but also means ‘father,’ while Jokowi is a friendly name the people use to call their president -- a partial combination of Joko and Widodo.

People form a crowd during Indonesian President Joko Widodo's inspection tour at Badung traditional market in Bali, Indonesia, November 17, 2022. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre

After about an hour of waiting, the 61-year-old president and his entourage arrived at the market to the cheers of the people.

President Widodo chose a compact outfit with a white shirt over casual pants, and a presidential badge on his chest.

Stepping out of his car and briefly shaking hands with local officials at the entrance, Widodo headed to the marketplace, where hundreds of people were shouting “bapak, bapak.”

Upon Widodo’s moving to the inside of the market, he had only a few peaceful minutes to learn about the business and life of small merchants, before being surrounded by heaps of enthusiastic and curious people. 

A vendor talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo during the leader's inspection tour at Badung traditional market in Bali, Indonesia, November 17, 2022. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre

The three-meter-wide aisle between the stalls was packed with people following every step of the president.

As more and more people flocked to the location of the president, the scene became like a waterfall pouring down.

People outside wanted to get in, while those already inside tried to get closer to shake hands, talk to or take pictures with the president. 

Others who were afraid of the crowding scene huddled around the skylight area and called Jokowi’s name.

A vendor takes a photo with Indonesian President Joko Widodo (R) during the leader's inspection tour at Badung traditional market in Bali, Indonesia, November 17, 2022. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre

After a tour, President Widodo stopped at the entrance to the market and gave a short speech, explaining that the trip was meant to help him understand the real situation of people’s lives amid the current inflation context.

While Indonesia’s inflation eased to 5.71 percent in October, it remained above Bank Indonesia’s 2-4 percent target range for the fifth straight month and near a seven-year high of 5.95 percent in September, according to Reuters.

“I have breakfast with macro issues but often think about the microeconomy,” Widodo said during the speech. 

“I want to see how my people live, what problems and challenges they are facing to have appropriate policies.”

A resident wears a black T-shirt given out by Indonesian President Joko Widodo during the leader's inspection tour at Badung traditional market in Bali, Indonesia, November 17, 2022. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre

As the president waved goodbye to the crowd, one of his bodyguard gave out black T-shirts, which excited the residents.

Gin, the owner of the hotel where Tuoi Tre reporter was staying, laughed when he heard about President Widodo’s inspection tour, explaining that such hearty welcome was normal because the president was so loved by his people.

“People are drawn to his approachable style,” Gin said. 

“There has never been a president as friendly and close to the people as Jokowi. 

“I think what he did today is sincere because Jokowi is constitutionally not allowed to run for a third term. 

“Now he has only two years left before the end of his second and final term.”

A resident receives a black T-shirt given out by Indonesian President Joko Widodo during the leader's inspection tour at Badung traditional market in Bali, Indonesia, November 17, 2022. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre

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