7 out of 10 trending topics in Jakarta this morning were related to the government raising fuel prices starting today, and it seems many on Twitter are pissed off at President Joko Widodo’s government.
The number one trending topic, #salamgigitjari, is a play on from Jokowi’s ‘salam dua jari’ (two fingered salute), which was popular during his presidential campaign. ‘Gigit jari’ (biting one’s fingers) is an expression of regret.
Just like his predecessor President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Jokowi’s unpopular decision also led to the creation of a public denouncement on Twitter, in the form of #ShameOnYouJokowi. Many felt Jokowi does not exactly have the public’s best interests at heart.
President Jokowi’s decision to raise fuel prices may be unpopular in the Tweetosphere, but what do you think? Was the raise necessary for Indonesia’s prosperity as a whole? Or was this a decision that will ultimately hurt Indonesia’s middle and lower classes?
