Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia After the Inspection of People’s Market, Rampal Ground, Malang City, East Java Province, July 24, 2023
Journalist
Your thoughts on the people’s market here, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes. I have ordered SOEs, as well as governors, regents, and mayors to increase the number of bazaars in the regions as much as possible.
Second, if it is possible and there is the budget, we must strengthen and multiply the staple food assistance to the people. Why? Because we are facing El Nino which we cannot calculate for it is related to climate, so we have to prioritize that first. And we have data on which areas need (the staple food assistance) and which areas don’t. So I hope that we can get ahead of it, hence when El Nino occurs, the people will not be surprised since the heat can actually be detrimental to health and the food (stocks) can also be disrupted. If it really happens, it is estimated that it starts in August.
In other countries, it has affected food stocks. India, for example, has stopped exporting rice. Vietnam has also done the same. I don’t expect such occurrence to happen in our country, so everything has to be prepared.
Journalist
How about staple food stock, sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
According to Bulog and Ministry of Agriculture, currently our stock has no problem. That is our stock for today. That’s it.
Journalist
How is the progress of the construction of the Malang-Blitar Toll Road Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
The demand for toll road construction is not only in Java, not only in East Java province. Every time I go to the region, the people always request the same thing. Regional heads, governors, regents, and mayors believe that toll roads can trigger new economic hub, accelerate the mobility of people, goods, as well as logistics. They feel the benefits so they request it. Nevertheless, our (toll road construction) priority is still outside Java.
In Java, as long as the internal rate of return is sufficient, you are welcome (to propose the construction). But if the internal rate of return is still inadequate, we can give the SOEs state-capital injection (PMN) or it can be done by Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing. Everything must be observed and calculated, including in Malang or East Java.
Journalist
Your thoughts on the investigation of Pak Airlangga by the Attorney General’s Office, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes. We must respect the legal process, be it in the KPK, the police, or the Attorney General’s Office, we must all respect it.
(GWH/LW)