Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia during Tree-Planting Movement Event, at JIEP Urban Forest in Pulo Gadung Industrial Estate, East Jakarta, November 29, 2023

Journalist

It has been explained that the tree-planting movement is aimed to reduce pollution, climate change and so on. How many spots in Greater Jakarta are planned to have this event, sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, this is the first one, the tree-planting activity is not only for today, but it will be held in all provinces in Indonesia at the same time in order to address climate change, global warming, pollution that are really happening and we all have been experiencing.

This event is held today because rainy season is approaching, we did not do it the other day because it was still dry season. It is currently rainy season, by December onwards we will do it continuously in all provinces, in all provinces, not only in Greater Jakarta. In Jakarta, we are going to do it in more than 900 spots, and Jakarta already has big trees, but it is fine to plant the small ones because rainy season is the right season to plant trees.

Also, I would like to thank for the participation of many companies, associations, such as Jakarta Industrial Estate Pulo Gadung (JIEP), REI (Real Estate Indonesia), APHI (Association of Indonesian Forest Entrepreneurs). Indeed, we want to create a joint movement.

Journalist

Toward the end of the year, one of the plans to anticipate disasters is by doing the tree-planting activity, anything else, sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Well, during rainy season, there are some areas struck by floods. I think we all have to be cautious because nowadays the rainy season is extreme and the dry season is extreme as well. All of us must be cautious,

Journalist

Sir, the campaign period is about to start, maybe you would like to give special messages so it will be safe and conducive?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, we will hold this festival of democracy with … together we hope that this festival of democracy can be held peacefully, safely, with smile and happiness. Competing with thoughts and ideas, but keep smiling and be happy.

Journalist

On campaign ideas, a candidate is against the idea of moving to the new capital (IKN) if elected. A political party also campaigns against the idea of IKN.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Well, they may express their ideas and opinions, but the IKN has been regulated in the Law, it has been regulated in the Law.

Journalist

It is said that (IKN) will create a new disparity, what do you think?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

On the contrary, we do not want to be Java-centric. Instead, we want to be Indonesia-centric. Remember that 58 percent of our economy’s GDP is centralized in Java island, 58 percent of our 17 thousand islands, 58 percent of our GDP is in Java island. Therefore, we want to be Indonesia-centric, economic growth is also emerging in other islands outside Java island, we hope new economic hubs will emerge. Also, on population, 56 percent of Indonesia’s population lives in Java island. So, [as we have] 17 thousand islands, equality must be ensured.

Journalist

It means that IKN [development] is for equality?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Economic equality, population equality, to grow new economic hubs. I think those are what we aim for, but this not only takes one or two days, one or two years. Instead, it takes a long run.

(AW/MMB)