Former Indonesian President Joko Widodo has strongly denied allegations presented in a report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which listed him among individuals who have “done the most to advance crime and corruption globally.”
The OCCRP’s report, released in early January 2025, positioned Widodo alongside figures such as former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Kenyan President William Ruto, and Indian businessman Gautam Adani. The ignominious title of “Person of the Year” was awarded to toppled Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.
Speaking from his residence in Solo, Central Java, Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, rejected the findings. “Corruption? What corruption? What’s the proof? Just prove it,” he said, labeling the accusations as “slander, malicious framing, and baseless.”
Widodo, who stepped down in October 2024 after completing two presidential terms, was celebrated for major infrastructure achievements, including transformative transport projects. However, his administration faced mounting criticism for democratic backsliding and the weakening of Indonesia’s anti-corruption institutions, issues that analysts say the OCCRP report reflects.
“People can use any vehicle to create such a horrible framing, whether through NGOs, political parties, or mass organizations,” Widodo added, dismissing the report as politically motivated.
The OCCRP’s annual report highlights figures whose actions it believes have significantly undermined democracy and human rights globally, further emphasizing the challenges Indonesia faces in addressing corruption.
Source: South China Morning Post, January 4, 2025
