Vulgar nickname for Joko Widodo raises eyebrows in Indonesia
- A new title was bestowed upon the president by his supporters at the weekend, but critics say it’s offensive and disrespectful
A nickname given to Indonesian President Joko Widodo by his supporters in East Java over the weekend has stirred controversy among political observers.
Widodo attended an event in the city of Surabaya on Saturday organised by a collective of former students who call themselves the East Java Alumni Forum. They declared their support for Widodo and his vice-presidential running mate, Islamic cleric Maruf Amin, at the event that was held ahead of general elections scheduled for April 17.
As part of the proceedings, the president was bestowed with an honorary title for a respected male figure – cak, which the group said can mean competent, religious or creative.
The problem came when local comedian Djadi Galajapo, who was hosting the event, decided to append a title of his own. He called Widodo jancuk, a local slang term that loosely translates as having sex for the enjoyment of others.
However, the word is also used in East Java as a vulgar yet cordial way of referring to a friend or loved one – analogous with how a similar profane term for female genitalia is used in some parts of Britain and Australia.