REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) was aware of the public reactions over his video played during the opening ceremony of the 18th Asian Games on Saturday (Aug 18) night. The video described Jokowi was trapped in the traffic along with Asian Games spectators.

Instead of asking the guards to clear the way, Jokowi prefered to leave the Presidential car and hopped on his guard's motorcycle to get to the venue on time. Wearing a full-faced helmet borrowed from one of the guards, he spurred the Yamaha FZI motorbike and flew through the traffic.

In one of the scene, Jokowi suddenly hit the brake and made a stoppie stunt to prevent collisions with a bajaj in a narrow street. Was it really the president doing the stunt?

Jokowi laughed to hear the people arguing about his video. Some of Twitter users believed a stuntman was involved in the video making process.

"Who flew the motorbike, sneaked, made a stoppie style, and arrived on time to GBK last night? Hehehe...Clearly, I and all of us cheered, the opening ceremony of Asian Games 2018 was lively and smoothly. Indonesia has been longing for this opportunity for 56 years," Jokowi said via his Twitter account on Sunday.

The idea to made the video came from Creative Director of Opening Ceremony of the Asian Games 2018 Wishnutama Kusubandio. He said the video was a pure entertainment and not related to Jokowi's effort in seeking reelection in the 2019 presidential election.

However, it did show some hints about his nomination. In the video, his wedding ring was shown as if to tease his opponent, Prabowo Subianto who is a divorced man. He also pushed the number 2 of elevator button which could be related to his bid for second term.

One of Twitter users, @eviindrawanto, lauded the video and compared it to Tom Cruise's action in Mission: Impossible. “I have played the video for five times until this morning. I don't care if it was a stuntman, even Tom Cruise also did it. Clearly, the idea was very cool."

Erni Thea through her Twitter account @ernithea74 also said, "I played the video again and again. It's crazy, my president turned out to be great in doing what Tom did. Look like I dont believe it but it's true I so proud of u n u always give us spirit can do.... #jokowi is the best."

However, the video stunt also gained critics, among others from former Sports and Youth Minister Roy Suryo. Through his personal Twitter account @KMRTRoySuryo said, "Tweeps, to be honest to public, it should be stated in TV that "IT WAS DONE BY PROFESSIONAL (stuntman)".

Meanwhile, according to Middle East online news, The Gulf, the act was hilarious and left the spectators in splits. However, it triggered enough excitement for the rest of the evening.

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