Metalhead wins Indonesian presidential election

Devoted metal fan Joko Widodo has been announced as the new President of Indonesia.

The Indonesia election commission said Jokowi Widodo won the presidential election with 53.15% of the vote. His opponent, Prabowo Subianto, received 46.85% – as reported by the BBC.

As we previously reported, Joko is often at metal shows in Indonesia and even once owned a signed bass from Metallica’s Rob Trujillo – although he had to give it up as the gift was regarded as a bribe.

But this is huge news for Indonesia – whose metal scene is growing rapidly. And any President who (by his own admission) is a fan of Metallica, Napalm Death and Led Zeppelin can only be a good thing.

Burgerkill share their thoughts on the Indonesian election here.

Luke Morton joined Metal Hammer as Online Editor in 2014, having previously worked as News Editor at popular (but now sadly defunct) alternative lifestyle magazine, Front. As well as helming the Metal Hammer website for the four years that followed, Luke also helped relaunch the Metal Hammer podcast in early 2018, producing, scripting and presenting the relaunched show during its early days. He also wrote regular features for the magazine, including a 2018 cover feature for his very favourite band in the world, Slipknot, discussing their turbulent 2008 album, All Hope Is Gone.