President Jokowi Receives Courtesy Call from ASEAN Secretary General

President Jokowi receives a courtesy call from ASEAN Secretary General Dato’ Lim Jock Hoi and other delegates at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Friday (12/30). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Kris)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Friday (12/30) received a courtesy call from ASEAN Secretary General Dato’ Lim Jock Hoi and ASEAN delegates at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.

According to Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Dato’ Lim Jock Hoi came to thank Indonesia for supporting ASEAN during his period of service as the ASEAN Secretary General.

“The most visible and useful form of support is Indonesia’s contribution to the construction of the new ASEAN Secretariat,” she said, adding that the construction of the new building is expected to improve the performance of ASEAN Secretariat.

“ASEAN meetings can also be held in Jakarta at ASEAN Secretariat building,” she said.

The Minister stated that Dato’ Lim Jock Hoi also expressed optimism that Indonesia can play its role well as the Chair of ASEAN next year.

“The ASEAN Secretary General said that economic development in each ASEAN country is quite promising. With this promising economic development, the theme adopted by the Indonesian Chairmanship, ‘Epicentrum of Growth’, becomes appropriate to be prioritized,” she said.

The Minister also pointed out that Dato’ Lim Jock Hoi officially ends his duties as the ASEAN Secretary General today and will return to Indonesia in January to hand over the position to the new ASEAN Secretary General.

“Dato’ Lim Jock Hoi will leave Indonesia today to end his duties as the ASEAN Secretary General and will return in early January to hand over the position to the new ASEAN Secretary General from Cambodia,” she remarked. (BPMI SETPRES/AIT/UN) (DH/MMB)