Unlike Malaysia's big-spending first couple, Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo and wife flew to Singapore in an economy-class flight to attend the graduation ceremony of his youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep.
"(The President) will attend the graduation of his son from 7pm to 9pm (on Friday). He will return to Jakarta at 10am on Saturday," Indonesian Embassy in Singapore spokesperson Sukmo Yuwono told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
Corrupt old school vs globally-minded young voters
While Jokowi's move may be aimed to contain public anger at fuel subsidy cuts he has refused to postpone, his modest living will inevitably turn the regional spotlight on Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak and spouse Rosmah Mansor.
Jokowi and his wife Iriana attend their son's graduation ceremony at ACS International in Singapore
Indonesia President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana Widodo in a selfie with his son Kaesng Pangarep's (top right, with glasses) good friends.
In Kuala Lumpur, Najib too is facing public anger over a fuel price hike announced last month and is now battling to avoid being embarrassed by rivals at his Umno party's annual meeting later this month.
The leader of South East Asia's second most populous Muslim nation after Indonesia, the 60-year-old Najib is often compared negatively against the reformist-minded Jokowi.
The fabulously wealthy Najib comes from a political dynasty. He is seen as part of a 'corrupt old world' that pushes a brand of racial and religious politicking that is now losing favor as a young and increasingly global-minded electorate stamp their mark in the region including in Malaysia.
Jokowi's use of an economy flight may stun the Najibs, who are known for their love of the high-life. Both Najib and Rosmah are often sharply criticized by their countrymen for using the government's private jet to make personal trips and planning overseas 'working' visits to coincide with their personal calendar. Recent examples include trips to the US, where Najib not only met with foreign officials but took significant time off to attend his daughter and later, his son's graduation.
Separation between personal and public money
Meanwhile, according to the Indonesian media, Jokowi's 19-year-old son Kaesang completed his international baccalaureate at ACS International Singapore.
A far cry from democracy: Najib's authoritarian government suspended a tabloid for publishing this unflattering headline and for scrutinizing his expenditure
Najib, Rosmah & son Norashman
On Thursday, Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto said the President, along with a small entourage of Presidential Security Detail (Paspampres) officers, would fly from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to Singapore's Changi Airport on a commercial flight.
According to Andi, Jokowi refused to use the official presidential aircraft because the purpose of his visit was personal.
"Pak Jokowi will travel as Joko Widodo, not as President," he told reporters.
Jokowi and First Lady Iriana have three children: sons Kaesang and Gibran Rakabuming Raka, 27, and daughter Kahiyang Ayu, 23. - Malaysia Chronicle
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