Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Groundbreaking of Gunadarma University’s Building II of the Nusantara Campus for the Off-Main Campus Study Program (PSDKU), in the New Capital City of Nusantara (IKN), North Penajam Paser Regency, East Kalimantan Province, December 21, 2023

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamuálaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Good afternoon,

May prosperity be upon all of us.

Distinguished Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet, also present here with me are Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Minister of State Secretary;

Distinguished Governor of East Kalimantan province and Regent of North Penajam Paser and ranks;

Distinguished Chief of the Indonesian National Defense Forces and Chief of the Indonesian National Police as well as Mr. Ridwan Kamil who is also present here with me;

Distinguished Rector of Gunadarma University, Prof. Dr. E.S. Margianti SE., MM. along with the entire Gunadarma University academic community, community leaders, religious leaders,

distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, and dear students who are also present here this afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Gunadarma University is not a small university. Its total number of students is 42 thousand, a very large number. And here, the Rector said that in the first semester there were only 200 [students] enrolled, but next year it is estimated that there will be 700 students. And I happily welcome the laying of the first stone for the construction of Gunadarma University’s Building II of the Nusantara Campus for the Off-Main Campus Study Program (PSDKU) in North Penajam Paser, the buffer zone for the new Capital City of Nusantara (IKN). Building II, which is under construction, will later be used as a lecture hall, laboratory room, lecturer room, and student activity room, of course.

I have received a report that previously the first building, which consists of four floors, has been completed. I think it is this one which is already used for learning activities. Right, Madam Rector? I am very happy to be present here this afternoon.

Where are the 200 students from North Penajam Paser? Are you present here? Yes, I see you just standing up after you have just moved your hands like that. Those who know Pancasila by heart, raise your hands. Yes, you go ahead, the one who is jumping up and down.

Educational programs such as those launched at Gunadarma University are very important and need to be multiplied and developed, so that the existence of IKN can trigger the development of the quality of Indonesia’s human resources. And not only in IKN, but also in other cities in Indonesia.

I would like to advise local governments to continuously motivate their young people to pursue education and learn new skills that will be really needed later when IKN has developed significantly.

Please, introduce yourself. Say your name. Are you nervous? Afraid? Yes, I want to ask the one who has just raised her hand and jumped up and down. Please say your name.

Student Representative (Reski Anisa Febrianti)

Let me introduce myself, my name is Reski Anisa Febrianti.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Resti?

Student Representative (Reski Anisa Febrianti)

Reski.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Reski.

Student Representative (Reski Anisa Febrianti)

Yes.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Reski, you have just gone through the first semester. What is your major?

Student Representative (Reski Anisa Febrianti)

My major is Civil Engineering.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Civil Engineering. Oh, such skills are needed at IKN. Is the Head of the IKN Authority present here? If this student graduates, she can immediately be recruited at IKN. That’s because IKN development will take many years, not only a year, two or three years, but it can take 10 to 15 years. So if these students have graduated from Gunadarma University, I urge business people to recruit them at IKN. Please Resi, recite Pancasila from the beginning.

Student Representative (Reski Anisa Febrianti)

Pancasila

1. Belief in the One and Only God;

2. Just and civilized humanity;

3. Indonesian Unity;

4. Democratic life led by wisdom of thoughts in deliberations amongst representatives of the people;

5. Achieving Social justice for all the Indonesian people.

That’s it.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Thank you. Please.

Student Representative (Reski Anisa Febrianti)

Sir, the police officer said I could ask you for a bicycle.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Take the bicycle. Please. You’ve said that you don’t want a bicycle because your house is far away. Then I’ll have the bicycle delivered to your home later. Please, hurry please [bring the bicycle]. From here, just from here, the ground is a little bit slanted. Well, I’ve already seen the bicycle. Will you take it or not? OK, take it. Is there anyone who still wants to come forward? But this time, I will not ask about Pancasila, it’s about something more difficult. Please answer. Whoever can answer, please raise your hand. [The question is] I’m always above the president, I’m always above the ministers, but I don’t have any position. Who am I? Come here, come forward. Run. Introduce yourself.

High School Student Representative (Muhammad Raja Bintang Parlindungan)

Let me introduce myself, my name is Muhammad Raja Bintang Parlindungan.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Raja Bintang.

High School Student Representative (Muhammad Raja Bintang Parlindungan)

Yes, Sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

I will just call you Raja. I’ll repeat it again. I’m always above the president, I’m always above the ministers, but I don’t have any position. Who am I?

High School Student Representative (Muhammad Raja Bintang Parlindungan)

Peci [a kind of black fez], Sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, take the bicycle.

High School Student Representative (Muhammad Raja Bintang Parlindungan)

Can I take a photo with you, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Hurry up. Come on, let’s take the bicycle. Come on, North Penajam Paser’s OSIS SMA Negeri 2 [the intra-school student organization of North Penajam Paser’s state high school 2).

I think that concludes my remarks on this good opportunity. Once again, I really appreciate the construction of the Gunadarma University campus in North Penajam Paser. And by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this afternoon I officially lay the first stone for the construction of Gunadarma University’s Building II of Nusantara Campus for the Off-Main Campus Study Program (PSDKU).I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

(TM/MUR)