President Jokowi Hopes for Peaceful and Orderly Elections

President Jokowi delivers remarks during a Plenary Cabinet Meeting, at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (7/1). (Photo by: Oji/ PR Division)

Given Indonesia’s long history of democracy, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo expressed belief that the 2019 simultaneous legislative elections and presidential elections will run peacefully, orderly, and democratically.

“I believe in our long history in democracy,” President Jokowi said in his remarks during a Plenary Cabinet Meeting on the 2019 Programs and Activities at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (7/1).

The President also asserted that security, stability, and order must be maintained ahead of the election. “In 2018, we proved the public our capability in organizing 171 simultaneous regional head elections in orderly and peaceful manners, he added.

The President previously stated that Finance Minister had reported him that Indonesian national economic growth hits 5.15 percent amid global economic uncertainties and inflation is maintained below 3.5 percent,  while exchange rate stability is maintained.

The President added that realization of the 2018 State Budget displayed a sound and credible performance, with a deficit of 1.76 percent of the GDP (gross domestic product).

In the meantime, the primary balance, he said, has reached minus Rp1.8 trillion, which is close to zero and the state revenue also reaches Rp1,942.3 trillion or 102.5 percent of the 2018 State Budget’s target. State expenditure to optimally support development’s target reaches 99.2 percent of the 2018 State Budget, the President added.

According to President Jokowi, Indonesia will still face formidable challenges, global economic turmoil, and external pressures; thus, he called for consolidation between real sectors, business world, industrial world, as well as monetary and fiscal bodies.

“Thus, we can take firm and consistent measures to control import, to boost export, and to improve Indonesia cash inflow in 2019,” the President firmly said.

Also joining the Plenary Cabinet Meeting were among others Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut B Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung and several others ministers of the Working Cabinet. (MAY/EN/DNA/JAY/OJI/ES)

Translated by : Rany Anjany Subachrum
Edited by : M. Ersan Pamungkas