World

Furniture maker to presidential candidate

A few years ago, Joko Widodo – or Jokowi as he is usually known – ran a small furniture export business. After becoming mayor of his home town of Solo, he rose quickly up the political ranks and following a short stint as governor of Jakarta, he is now the frontrunner to become the next president of Indonesia. The FT's Ben Bland goes to Solo to find out what makes him so popular.