Indonesian president turns to populist policies ahead of tough 2019 election


Workers carry pieces of wood as walks at the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit construction at Sudirman Business District in Jakarta, Indonesia, April 17, 2018. REUTERS/Beawiharta

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Soon after taking office in 2014, Indonesian President Joko Widodo made a landmark decision to cut subsidies on politically sensitive fuel prices to boost the economy, but a year out from a tough re-election campaign, his reformist zeal may be waning.

Markets cheered Widodo's gamble to free up billions of dollars to build much-needed infrastructure, while the former furniture salesman also unveiled a series of reforms to slash regulations holding back Southeast Asia's biggest economy.

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