President: All This is the Result of Working Together

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

President Joko Widodo during an interview with Kompas Daily at the Veranda of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Sunday (14/8/2022).

Seventy-seven years of independence have not been an easy journey for the nation. Most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war have caused a food, energy and inflation crisis. However, by working together with the people and leaders of other nations, the problems can be resolved.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo feels the continuity of the nation building until today.

"We should give credit to our predecessors: President Sukarno, President Soeharto, President BJ Habibie, President Abdurrahman Wahid, President Megawati Soekarnoputri and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono," President Jokowi said during an interview with the chief editor of Kompas Daily, Sutta Dharmasaputra, in the Veranda Room of Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Sunday (14/8/2022).

Initially, President Jokowi asked to chat at the oval table in the Reception Room of Merdeka Palace. However, the President later asked to move to the veranda, which overlooks the gardens of the State Palace.

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During the hour-long interview, the President looked bright and enthusiastic. Serious expressions appeared when he talked about the energy crisis, food, finance, the election year of 2024 and the new capital city project. The following are excerpts of the interview:

What have your efforts been to free the nation's children who live far from the city?

Our current direction of development is not Java-centric, but Indonesia-centric. [We] are developing the country from the outskirts, building from the village level, infrastructure on the outskirts, for example, the airport on Miangas Island, the construction of cross-border posts in Skouw, in Sota Merauke, Motaain, then in Aruk, Nanga Badau, on the Malaysian border, and many other places.

Does that mean that development from the periphery has already been realized?

There has been a big change, really. I often go to the villages. I can see the roads, small infrastructure, bridges and dams. We have disbursed [funds] for six years to villages and the funds have reached Rp 468 trillion (US$31.68 trillion). Some 227,000 kilometers of roads and 4,500 reservoirs have been built.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

President Joko Widodo during an interview with Kompas Daily at the Veranda of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Sunday (14/8/2022).

That's a big number, isn't it?

We have never before spent as much as Rp 468 trillion for village development in history. Now we are not only building roads and irrigation, but also village markets, village-owned companies (BUMDs) and clean water facilities in villages – as long as 1.2 million km – and 38,000 posyandu (integrated health services posts), 59,000 wells and 56,000 early childhood education schools.

Does this mean the distribution of development or social justice that the community has been waiting for will quickly reach its goal?

Yes. Most importantly, it must be focused so that it is right on target. It requires a lot of work in the field. For example, building a dam is not easy work.

We have successfully achieved self-sufficient rice production since 2019.

From there, harvests that usually take place once a year can be held twice. Harvests that are usually held twice can be done three times. The construction of 4,500 dams and 1.1 million hectares of irrigation has contributed to self-sufficient in rice production.

What does the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) award mean?

The IRRI has presented Indonesia an award for our achievement to reach self-sufficiency in rice production. We have successfully achieved self-sufficient rice production since 2019.

The IRRI looked at the numbers. For three consecutive years, the annual rice production reached 31.3 million tons. They also saw an increase in corn production too. In the past, we imported 3.5 million tons a year. This year we only imported 800,000 tons.

Monetary and fiscal topics

What is our budget and strategy to cope with the threat of crisis?

For energy alone, we have provided a subsidy up to Rp 502 trillion. We are lucky we have extra income from the rise in the prices of commodities.

We face big global challenges as a result of the environmental crisis and extreme climate change, as well as food and energy crises due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, plus the rising global political temperature in the Taiwan Strait.

External conditions greatly affect the conditions of all countries. The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank said the conditions this year were very tough. Next year could be gloomier. We have to be really vigilant and be able to manage our monetary, macroeconomic, fiscal condition well.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

President Joko Widodo during an interview with Kompas Daily at the Veranda of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Sunday (14/8/2022).

Indonesia is leading the G20 this year. What is the state of Indonesia's chairmanship?

We have been given the mandate and honor to play a role in difficult situations. We must respond to that trust with concrete action. I often have discussions on the phone with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and with leaders of other countries about the present global situations. One and half months before going to Kyiv and Moscow, I had a phone call with [Chinese] President Xi Jinping as well as heads of state in the European Union and held a discussion with [Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi]. When meeting with United States President, Joe Biden, I also discussed this matter. From this discussion we decided to go to Ukraine and Russia.

Democracy of ideas

Concerns about the political crisis in the country in the 2024 general election are now emerging with feuds between political parties and between presidential and vice presidential candidates. This does not worry the President.

"It’s just normal. Five years ago the election was heated, but it was safe and sound," he said.

How about segregation in society as a result of past elections?

We are used to this during elections, presidential elections, gubernatorial elections, mayoral elections. However, the community has increasingly become aware of the importance of togetherness, the importance of being brothers again after the election or presidential election is over. At times, I could not believe how the people were so fanatical with the candidates they supported. In the future, we must turn to democracy of ideas, so that candidates convey ideas on how to improve their region and country.

Any messages for the presidential candidates who will run in 2024?

What is clear is that the president in the future must be willing to work hard for the people and face global challenges that are not easy.

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Who do you think is fit to lead Indonesia?

The candidate comes from a party or coalition of parties. So ask the party.

Is there any chance of a further Cabinet reshuffle?

Yes, there is. Every day there can be sudden changes in the world situation. We need speed and accuracy in making policies, so a reshuffle, if needed, can be done, even if it's for just a day. If needed, why not?

You once said that in 2024, Independence Day will be celebrated in the new capital city. How are the preparations going for that? Can the plan still be realized?

It is the target, but of course we have to see its development. If possible, why not. And If it's not possible, we will tell the truth . (CAS/WKM/INA/ HAR/NWO)

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.