Lee-Jokowi in a show of breakfast diplomacy

Everything about this seventh president of the republic screams populist; with a capital `P’. Begin with his name. Take the first three syllables from his name Jo + ko + Wi (dodo) and you cannot get a more plebeian label for a beloved uncle.

To the political spinmeisters, nothing comes across with a more invitingly egalitarian appeal.

But then the best advertisement, the livin’; breathin’; talkin’; walkin’ embodiment is the Man himself.

A number of politicians from these parts have at times dawdled with a certain patrician swagger, remote aloofness, snooty disdain or even display dowdy behaviour not unlike your neighbourhood bully.

Jokowi swept into power like the breath of fresh air we were all waiting for – what more the broiling mass of Indonesians jaded by same old same old politics.

Here’s someone who dispenses with formality and officialdom. A man who comes from amongst their midst, but who appears not to have succumbed to the trappings of power and success. In short, the prized attainment of office has not gone to his head.

He waives his right to travel in the front fuselage of any of the nation’s many private airlines, what more its national flag carrier. (A local bank CEO regaled me the time he holidayed with his family.

They were stared at constantly by fellow passengers who easily recognised him. Why? They were fellow passengers in the crammed conditions of a budget airliner!).

Then there is his down-to-earth demeanour that makes him appear to be accessible (being President, he still goes around with adequate security). By all accounts he also eschews all manner of officious decorum; what more pomp and ceremony.

His fellow ASEAN fellow leaders have cottoned on to the advantages of being seen together; and a good photo-op (better still a compulsory selfie, however annoying) can do their own reputation no harm at all.

Singapore’s Lee Hsien Loong is the latest ASEAN leader to bask from this glow of association. Jokowi had flown to the Island Republic privately (non-business class of course) to attend his son’s graduation at one of the republic’s highly-competitive and regionally-coveted Junior Colleges.

Ever alert to the visit of a fellow leader; Lee invited Jokowi to come on over and have breakfast. Next day, splashed all over the newspapers – and all over social media; the leader of two nations tucking into a traditional fare of 'roti prata' and 'nasi lemak'.

No doubt, one does not expect this breakfast table `summit’ to work for nations that are squaring up to each other in hostile confrontation but hey; if nothing else, a hearty meal will make for a bright start; even for the busiest of Presidents.

While we are on the subject of seeing and being seen; the final Formula One race in Abu Dhabi must have brought unfettered joy to – Petronas; the nation’s petrochemical flag carrier.

Aided by the manipulation of the points scoring system that ensured sustained interest in the outcome right up to this final race of the season; all eyes were on the two protagonists – Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

The cameras and spotlight were constantly focused on Hamilton and adversary –cum-team mate Rosberg.

Every time it panned on Hamilton, there was the Petronas logo on their helmet, at the sides of the car, on the front and rear wings. You looked everywhere and you can’t miss it.

So, whatever Petronas paid to be a major sponsor of this year’s Formula One winning team, they can claim to be getting good return on that investment.

There was a time when Malaysia’s and Tun Dr Mahathir’s determined pursuit of attracting Bernie’s boys to bring Formula One to these shores were derided.

Securing the rights cost a bomb; building the race circuit (at over RM300 million a pop) was a bigger bomb. On the obverse however, the returns must have been many more times that by now.

Singapore subsequently emulated Malaysia’s example by attracting Bernie with their own night race package.

The action at the Lee’s breakfast table was less high-octane; indeed less pricey. For the price of a take-away from the neighbourhood ‘mamak’ in Serangoon Road, the political ROE is simply politically priceless!