Metalhead Joko Widodo Wins Indonesian Presidency

Guys, I’m a little choked up right now. It’s just that this has been such a longtime coming, and I honestly didn’t think it would ever happen in my lifetime: we have put a metalhead in the White House. And by “we” I mean “the people of Indonesia,” and by “White House,” I mean “whatever Indonesia’s equivalent of the White House happens to be.” But still!!! My tears are falling harder than Axl Rose mid-performance.

Back in March, we told you about Joko Widodo, the governor of Jakarta, a candidate for the Indonesian presidency, and an avowed metalhead whose favorite bands include Metallica, Megadeth, Lamb of God and Napalm Death. Said Widodo at the time:

“Rock music gives me motivation, gives me spirit about the environment, about the corruption, about justice. The beat of the drum — boom, boom — gives me spirit.”

Well, now the beat of the drum — boom, boom — has given Widodo something else, too: VICTORY! Reports Metal Injection:

“The results are in and Joko is the next president of Indonesia. Joko got 53.15% of the vote while rival Prabowo Subianto only received 46.85%. Joko was accused of electoral fraud by his rival, but after a vote recount was cleared of all doubts.”

Subianto has three days to file an appeal based on his allegations of fraud; if he does file an appeal, the court can then take until August 22 to make a final ruling. Still, according to The BBC, “even if Mr Subianto’s claim of electoral fraud in certain areas proved to be true, this would be unlikely to change the overall results.” And given that “Mr. Widodo has promised a decisive break with Indonesia’s authoritarian past and better social welfare for the poor,” and “is seen as a clean politician in touch with the masses,” it kinda seems like Subianto is full of bologna, anyway.

So, there you have it. A guy who routinely wears Napalm Death shirts is now in a position of great power. I don’t know if Indonesia has inaugural balls like we do here in the U.S., but assuming they do, I fully expect Lamb of God to be flown in to headline. Lama hidup revolusi!!! I have no idea if I wrote that correctly.