Meet one of Indonesia's most unlikely YouTube celebrities: The president

Winning at social media.
 By 
Yvette Tan
 on 
Meet one of Indonesia's most unlikely YouTube celebrities: The president
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Wong Maye-E/AP/REX/Shutterstock (6748155j) Jokowi Indonesian President Joko Widodo, popularly known as "Jokowi", center, and his wife Iriana, bottom left, helps a student graduate take a selfie with a smartphone after attending a graduation ceremony for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme of his son Kaesang Pangarep, top right, at the Anglo Chinese School (International), in Singapore, . Jokowi flew to Singapore to attend the graduation of his youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep Singapore Indonesia Jokowi, Singapore Credit: Wong Maye-E/AP/REX/Shutterstock

He's got more than 100,000 subscribers, livestreams events, and even vlogs about what he eats.

We're talking about Indonesia's president -- Joko Widodo.

Affectionately known as Jokowi, the president has amassed thousands of fans, and even has his own hashtag, #JKWVLOG.

Widodo's latest YouTube video, which features him having a meal with Saudi Arabia's King Salman who is currently in Indonesia on a visit, has already racked up almost 600,000 views in less than 18 hours.

The vlog, entitled "Banquet with King Salman", sees both leaders eating lunch at the Presidential Palace.

"Currently I'm having lunch with King Salman. He is eating," says Widodo, before turning the camera over to King Salman.

"I am very happy today to be in Indonesia and happy with the Indonesian people," says the king through a translator.

The video is Widodo's most viewed so far.

His previous YouTube videos include everything from him attempting a game of archery, to eating street food with his ministers.

Widodo has even recently been awarded the YouTube Silver Button channel -- and by recent we mean it's still on his way to him -- for gaining over 100,000 subscribers.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"The President sees himself as somewhat of a YouTuber," said a YouTube spokesperson.

"What's interesting about Jokowi's channel is how he experiments. He has tried different styles of videos, from a 360 degree video to a vlog on eating meatballs during his work trip. Everytime he experiments, his subs go up."

Widodo was first introduced to vlogging through his son, Kaesang, who is 22 and a YouTube vlogger himself.

Some of Kaesang's videos feature Widodo, including this one where the father-son duo are seen in an arm wrestle showdown.

The video has been viewed over 2 million times.

And it's not only YouTube that the president is proficient in.

He's no stranger to Instagram, where he's amassed almost 3 million followers.

To put that into context, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has 986,000 followers on Instagram.

Point made.

Topics YouTube

Mashable Image
Yvette Tan

Yvette is a Viral Content Reporter at Mashable Asia. She was previously reporting for BBC's Singapore bureau and Channel NewsAsia.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You

Indonesia to ban social media for children under 16
Indonesia's minister of communication and digital affairs Meutya Hafid



Connor Storrie, Hudson Williams, and Seventeen's Joshua are the Golden Globes' most viral meet-cute
A side-by-side image of Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams presenting at the Golden Globes and Joshua Hong on the red carpet

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.


NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!