Jakarta Governor's one-fingered salute sparks outrage.

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Jakarta Governor, Dr Fauzi Bowo (a.k.a. Foke, Fuzzy Bozo), has unleashed a storm of criticism after the above image circulated through Twitter.

The unusual picture was taken moments after Dr Bowo had presented a prize to the young adults in the photo, winners of a music competition.

When asked later why he had flipped the bird, the politician pleaded his innocence[1]:

I have no idea what the gesture means, even until now. I just followed the band members gesturing the middle finger. Apparently all band members do that, don’t they?

It remains to be seen whether Jakartan voters will give Dr Bowo the finger in return; the first round of the Jakarta Governor election is on 11 July 2012.

Meanwhile, a rival candidate for the Jakarta Governor election also likes using hand gestures.

However, Mr Joko Widodo (PDIP's candidate and currently the Mayor of Solo), has shown more experience and form.

Peace

He recently visited local rock band Slank and copied the band members' less offensive gesture to the cameras.

Metal

Mr Widodo is possibly Indonesia's only metal-loving mayor - note also the Napalm Death t-shirt. Last year, he publicly expressed his wish for Metallica to play a concert in Solo.[2]

Such sentiments would not go down well in many parts of Indonesia, especially Aceh. However, Mr Widodo remains popular in Solo; he has a reputation as a can-do mayor who helps the poor, reduces government red-tape/bureaucracy and rejects the perks of office in favour of a modest lifestyle.