Press Statement of President of the Republic Indonesia after the 2024 Leadership Meeting of Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and Indonesian National Police (POLRI), at Ahmad Yani Sports Stadium, TNI Headquarters, Cilangkap, Jakarta Special Capital Region, February 28, 2024
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, this is to remind us that in 2022 Mr. Prabowo Subianto received an award called Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama for his services in the defense sector which contributed extraordinarily to the progress of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and this country. The bestowal of the award has undergone verification process conducted by the Titles, Order of Merit and Honors Council. And, the implications of receiving the star award are in accordance with Law Number 20 of 2029. Afterwards, the TNI Commander proposed that Mr. Prabowo be conferred a special appointment and promotion. So, everything started from the bottom. Based on the TNI Commander’s proposal, I have agreed to grant a special promotion in the form of an Honorary TNI General.
Journalists
Sir, maybe there will be pros and cons among the public. What are the pros and cons among the public with regard to the bestowal of the TNI rank?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Such a rank was bestowed not just recently, it was previously bestowed to Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (the sixth Indonesia’s president), it was also bestowed to Mr. Luhut Binsar Panjaitan (Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment). This is commonplace in the TNI and POLRI.
Journalists
Sir, some people say this is a part of a political transaction. Is that true, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Well, if it’s a political transaction, we would have bestowed it before the election. The bestowal took place after the election to avoid such assumptions.
Journalists
Has Mr. Prabowo prepared his administration, Sir? Has he prepared the next administration? Do you have any suggestions?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Ask Mr. Prabowo, don’t ask me.
Journalists
Are you involved in preparing the cabinet, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Ask Mr. Prabowo, not me.
Journalists
Yesterday Mr. Airlangga (Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs) said that you would have a role [in preparing the next cabinet].
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Ask Mr. Airlangga.
Journalists
With regard to the discussion about the plan to distribute free lunch to school children, is it already allocated in the State Budget (RAPBN) draft bill, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
No. Only in the Plenary Cabinet Meeting did I say that the president-elect’s programs must be included in the 2025 budget draft bill, so that it would be faster and easier for the president-elect to set the budget and there is no need to re-submit the budget draft bill to the House of Representatives. This is what I communicated at yesterday’s Plenary Cabinet Meeting.
Journalists
(inaudible)
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
There is no specific discussion about what was communicated before.
Journalists
Are you joining Golkar (a political party), Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I enter the Palace every day.
Journalists
Sir, why is the price of rice still rising even though rice is already available in minimarkets?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Please check, don’t spread such information, okay? Try to check at the Cipinang Main Market. Try to check again at Johar Market. You must check rice prices at such rice markets. Please visit Cipinang Market, check whether the prices are going down or up. Check at Johar Market in Karawang, whether the prices are going up or not, down or not. That’s it. I check it daily and I always get the statistics.
Journalists
Thank you, Sir.
(TM/MUR)