Jokowi asks Jakartans to bear on him

The Post of Jakarta, Jakarta | Jakarta | Mon October 15, 2012, 4: 26 PM

Taking the oath: Joko Widodo (left) and Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (right) are officially sworn in as Governor of Jakarta and vice-governor, respectively for 2012-2017 at a special plenary meeting in Jakarta City Hall on Monday. (Antara/Ismar Patrizki) Fresh from his inauguration as the new Governor of the capital, Joko "Jokowi" Widodo thousands of his supporters from a stage at the site of the City Government of Jakarta focused on Monday, and asked Jakartans to closely monitor his work.

"I urge all Jakartans to keep an eye on me, so all my programs can run smoothly," said Jokowi who was accompanied by his Deputy Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, official uniforms attracting white and black caps.

Jokowi assured the audience that he would work hard to better health and education services as soon as possible.

Prior to this, Jokowi had said he could kick-start his much-vaunted "health card" and "smart card" programs within 100 days after his term as Governor of Jakarta.

The cards that have already been carried out in Surakarta, Central Java, where Jokowi used to serve as Mayor, be used to obtain free access to education and health care.

Jokowi said that the health card would guarantee that poor people didn't have to pay for expensive health treatments or operations.

Former Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo is asking the public to be patient and realistic in demanding improvements of the new leaders.

"People have to give time to the new Governor to prepare its strategy. Question is not something that can't be done in a short time, "he said during a recent interview with a local tv station. (han/iwa)