Jokowi marks disappointing first year in power

Jakarta

INDONESIAN President Joko Widodo took office last year on the hopes that an outsider and "man of the people" would swiftly usher in a new era of cleaner, more effective governance. Twelve months on, critics said that those hopes have come to nought.

Mr Joko, known by his nickname "Jokowi", swept to power on a wave of popular support for his hands-on approach and his image as a corruption-free, fresh face in a country long dominated by oligarchs from the era of dictator Suharto.

The former Jakarta governor, who would campaign in the slums wearing casual clothes, was elected after a bruising battle against a controversial ex-general with a chequered human rights record, becoming the country's first leader from outside the political and mil…