Jokowi with his Metallica guitar before he gave it up to the KPK
Poor President Joko Widodo. Our heavy metal loving leader received a signed bass guitar as a gift from Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo while he was still governor of Jakarta, but had to give it up to the Anti-Corruption Committee (KPK) as it might have been construed as a bribe under the law.
Jokowi’s precious piece of rock memorabilia was then put on display at KPK headquarters, alongside stuff taken from other politicians who actually are corrupt.
Now the Jokowi Metallica gift guitar is going to the home of a private collector. Remember the World Anti-Corruption Day events that Jokowi was flying to Yogyakarta to attend today? Well one of them is a festival at Gajah Madah University where an auction of items from the KPK, including the bass, will take place.
“At the Anti-Corruption Festival, there will by are a number of activities for the public to enjoy, including an expo and an auction of graft items. These items, which have been given the ‘halal’ stamp by the KPK, include handphones and the guitar given to President Jokowi,” KPK spokesman Johan Budi said as quoted by Harian Analisa.
Johan said the anti-corruption festival was being held in Yogyakarta because it had a higher integrity rating (ie less corruption) than Jakarta.
We hope that whoever buys Jokowi’s mighty Metallica axe appreciates heavy metal as much as oour president does and will give the bass a good home.
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