Local Knowledge, Jokowi Wrote

• Author: Pranoto Iskandar
• Position: The Institute for Migrant Rights
• Pages: 101-104

e Indonesian Journal of International & Comparative Law

ISSN: 2338-7602; E-ISSN: 2338-770X

http://www.ijil.org

© 2020 e Institute for Migrant Rights Press

loCal knowlEdgE, Jokowi wrotE

Pranoto Iskandar

e Institute for Migrant Rights

E-mail: pranotoi@imr.or.id

Less than two weeks ago, to decide the correct (“cocok”) day for the in-

oculation, President Jokowi reputedly utilized the pétungan (or count-

ing) system, a Javanese equivalent to astrology.1 is traditional system

of numerological divination is based on the belief in the parallelism

between the universe and the world of human.2 Dating back to at least

the 4th millennium B.C., this belief system has been the fundamental

conception that inuenced the shape of the Southeast Asian states.3

Considering its historical embeddedness, any revelation that

local knowledge is being utilized in policy making related areas as a

supposedly exclusive domain of logic should not be surprising at all. In

fact, e Economist, o described as the poster boy for rational choice

theory, has been consistently highlighting its persistence, with the

latest focus being on the rising popularity of the traditional sultanate

that base their claim to tradition across the nation.4

1. Marchio Irfan Gorbiano, “Good days” nd outsize role in Jokowi’s Javanese

leadership style, T J P (Jan. 19, 2021), https://www.thejakartapost.

com/news/2021/01/19/good-days-find-outsize-role-in-jokowis-javanese-

leadership-style.html (last visited Feb 20, 2021).

2. C G, T R  J (Phoenix ed. 1976). Ch. 3.

3. Rober t Heine-Geldern, Conceptions of State and Kingship in Southeast Asia

(1956).

4. Defunct Royal Families are Making a Comeback in Indonesia, T E