Jokowi gains political traction after tumultuous first year

Jakarta

SHOPPERS clamber atop slippery fish stalls in a town in rural Indonesia to catch a glimpse of President Joko Widodo and jostle to kiss his hand, a sign that the star power that swept him to office a year-and-half ago is intact.

Until recently, the same couldn't be said for his relations with the parliament, or even his own party. While challenges remain, that now looks to be slowly changing as the former furniture exporter gets a better grip on national politics and the once-majority opposition coalition crumbles. Set against neighbours Malaysia and Thailand, Indonesia looks relatively calm.

"Our relationship with all political parties is good, there is no problem," the president, better known as Jokowi, told Bloomberg Television after stopping off at the market and visiting a toll road project on Sumatra island last week. "Our relationship…