Jakarta (AsiaNews) - With Joko Widodo's election as president "discriminatory actions and especially abuses against minorities will end. We require that our new leader be really committed to provide the marginalised with a new political and social atmosphere, where everyone can enjoy in peace and joy the best opportunities the state can offer," said Siti Musdah Mulia, one of the best known professors and Islamist activists in Indonesia
The scholar, who lectures at the Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic University in Tangerang (Banten province), spoke to AsiaNews about the results of the presidential election of 9 July. She is known throughout the country for her intense battles against polygamy and for being very active in the field of dialogue between religions,
"Jokowi (the president-elect's nickname) is the legitimate choice of the people. The Islamic community has presented very clear demands to the candidates: an end to external influences in politics, in daily life and in the economy. "
What Indonesia needs, she added, "is a leader who is really committed to providing all sectors of society with a new social atmosphere. Especially the marginalised and minorities need of hope. They should be able to enjoy in peace and joy better opportunities that the state has to offer. Enough is enough with the discrimination of any kind and the abuses against the weakest."
Jokowi's election leaves one issue still unresolved, namely his rival Subianto's attitude. The former general has already filed an appeal with the Constitutional Court for alleged fraud during the voting process, and the political coalition that supported him holds a majority of seats in Parliament.
According to J. Kristiadi, senior analyst at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, this disparity "is likely to block the reforms announced by the president-elect."
Widodo, the analyst said, "is a politician of great charisma, and has the ability to motivate people and lead to real change. He can bring real improvement to the people, and has already shown this during his years as governor. During the election campaign, he showed that he is not based on words but on the facts."
However, "now he needs to strengthen his position. For our part, we must ensure that until next October (when he takes office) he can count on the support among the people and civil society. This way he can really reform Indonesia."