New Indonesian president promises a 'people-centric' government

Indonesia got a new president, Joko Widodo, a 53-year-old man who was sworn in on October 20 after Bambang Yudhoyono stepped down after having served two five-year terms.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The man from the Javan slums already has a plan for his country, declaring that he wants his nation to be self-sufficient in food staples such as sugar, rice and corn by 2018.

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"Looking forward, we should be working hard to raise the production of our agriculture products so that in three years we can be self sufficient in several commodities," Widodo said during a televised teleconference with farmers, doctors, teachers and students.

Indonesia is the world's third-largest democracy and supporters have high hopes for Widodo. However, Indonesia's pressing economic problems and skeptical rivals are already testing Widodo's presidency.

"This is not an easy target but I'm confident with hard work we can achieve our proclaimed target in three to four years."

Former president Yudhoyono attempted to make the country self-sufficient, setting targets in 2009 when prices of food soared, but few goals have been met due to government bureaucracy and ongoing corruption scandals over import quotas that caused food shortages.

Widodo has also promised that Indonesia's government will become more "people-centric" under him. In Indonesia, over 100 million people live on less than $2 a day.

"This is a truly historic moment for all of us to come together," he said. "Through hard work and cooperation, we will be able to help all Indonesians."

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