President Jokowi Hopes Asian Games 2018 to be a Moment to Unify the Nation: Cabinet Secretary

Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung in an interview with Metro TV, at his office, Jakarta, Friday (18/5) afternoon (Photo: JAY/Human Relations Division).

Cabinet Secretary (Seskab) Pramono Anung expressed that Asian countries multi-sport event or Asian Games XVIII of 2018 in Indonesia will capture the world’s attention. “Therefore, we must utilize it as a confident building for the sake of the country, to disseminate a message to the world that Indonesia is ready to be a good host country both in organizing and in winning medals,” Seskab conveyed in an interview for President Corner program of Metro TV, at his office, Jakarta, on Friday (18/5) afternoon.

On that account, Seskab added, Presiden Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo has initiated to promote it so that the Asian Games fever feel not only by the sport players and spectators in Jakarta and Palembang but also by all Indonesian people.  Hence, the President’s jingle, song, t-shirt are created, and then the President initiates sport. “Currently, almost every ministries and institutions in central, provincial, and regional levels promote Asian Games since the Asian Games moment is viewed and considered as the important moment of the nation,” Pramono said.

According to the Seskab, this Asian Games fever was begun by the President as he wore a black jacket with Asian Games logos, then last week the President wore a red one. And now almost every ministerial and echelon I cars as well as banners in cities/regencies are all about Asian Games.

The President, Seskab further said, feels that this moment is a truly united moment of the nation, because Indonesia at the moment needs to be united. “So Asian Games is the right moment according to the President to build spirit of diversity, unity, tolerant, as well as to leave a message to the world that Indonesia is ready to transform from a developing country to a developed country,” Seskab said.

The Mascots of 2018 Asian Games

As for displaying the mascots of Asian Games at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, and in other places, Seskab explained to remind people as well as to show our seriousness to invite guests, not only sport players but also tourists and spectators who want to attend the Asian Games.

The budget to promote Asian Games, according to Pramono Anung, is mainly from INASGOC (Indonesia Asian Games 2018 Organizing Committee) as Asian Games XVII committee. He uttered that INASGOC has already got the sponsors and it cover enough. “But to be part of it, the President also sees that each ministries/institutions which have their own promotion budget promote their institutions as well as Asian Games,” Seskab explained.

This time, Seskab further said, every ministries has own Asian Games jacket with various models, designs, colors that will be worn at the countdown to 50 days. Because at present the countdown is still to 100 days, according to Seskab, ministries wearing it are mainly Coordinating Ministry of Human Development and Culture, Ministry of Youth and Sports, INASGOC, and also the President. “The aim is apart from doing sport, to show our readiness both as a host country and of our physic,” Seskab said.

Seskab added, after basketball, the President will do another sport as a part of the promotion. “We just wait soon,” Seskab said as he was asked what kind of sport it is.

As for security, Seskab firmly said that the Government has assured Asian Games will be held in a secure manner. He acknowledged that protection from intolerant or terrorism acts are carried out seriously and under direct command from the President, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Commander of Indonesian Defence Forces (TNI), Chief of Indonesian National Police (Polri) , Chief of Indonesian Inteligent Agency. Polri will be back up by TNI (MAY/JAY/ES) (EPI/YM/Naster).