To Lead Haze Disaster Management, President Jokowi Will Work in Palembang

Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung received the reporters in his office, located at Building III, Ministry of State Secretariat, Jakarta, on Wednesday (28/10) afternoon

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo took off from Wahington D.C., the United States of America, on Tuesday (27/10) afternoon local time or Wednesday (28/10) morning Western Indonesia Time and predicted to arrive in Indonesia on Thursday (29/10) morning. The President will directly heading to Palembang, South Sumatra to lead the handling of haze disaster which affected several areas in Sumatra, Kalimantan and other areas in Indonesia.

President Joko Widodo decided to shorten his state visit. He will not visit West Coast and directly return to Palembang by using the same route, from USA to Amsterdam and heading to Abu Dhabi. The President is predicted to arrive in Palembang at 8 a.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB),” Pramono Anung said to the reporters at his office, located at Building III, Ministry of State Secretariat, Jakarta, on Wednesday (28/10) afternoon.

President Jokowi is scheduled to conduct a meeting with haze management team on Thursday (29/10). Furthermore, the President will visit Musi Banyuasin (Muba) in the afternoon by road which will take 4-5 hours, to observe several hot spots.

“The consentration of this haze management is to prioritize the most affected cities, mostly in Sumatra and Kalimantan,” Mas Pram, a nickname for Pramono Anung, said.

On the opportunity, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said that President Joko Widodo prepared the Presidential Instruction which will be used as a vehicle for the team under coordination of Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, and Coordinating Minister for the Economy to coordinate in the haze disaster management.

According to Cabinet Secretary, 26 ministries/institutions, as well as regents/mayors, involve in the coordination.

Answering the reporters’ question regarding the decision of President Jokowi to shorten his state visit to the US, instead of cancel it, Cabinet Secretary explained that the action was taken because the state visit was considered to have strategic values.

“State visit to the US has strategic values. After all, Indonesia is a country which upholds the free and active foreign policy that bequeathed by Bung Karno. That makes the visit has significant meaning, as well as to deny the assumption that there is distance between Indonesia and the US,” Mas Pram said.

Cabinet Secretary then highlighted the US$ 20.075 billion business deal as the result of President Joko Widodo’s state visit to the Uncle Sam’s Country which amount is bigger than last year’s investment. That is the significant meaning of this visit. “One thing that distinguishes this visit to the previous one is the result oriented which becomes the priority of President Joko Widodo.” Pramono concluded. (FID/DND/ES) (RAS/MMB/YM/Naster)