Insight - Presidency beckons for Jakarta's rags-to-riches governor

Joko Widodo, 48, a former furniture salesman who was elected mayor of the royal city of Solo takes part in a Batik carnival in Solo, Central Java June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Andry Prasetyo

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, the governor of Jakarta, might well be the future of Indonesian democracy. Here's why.

On a recent afternoon he visited Tambora, a densely populated area of west Jakarta, to inspect the aftermath of a slum fire. Within minutes, the narrow streets were a moshpit of jostling well-wishers. Women embraced him. Men kissed his hand. School children chanted "Long live Jokowi!"