President Jokowi Pushes for Revival of Asphalt Producing Industries in Buton

President Jokowi at the inspection at PT Wika Bitumen, Buton regency, Southeast Sulawesi province, Tuesday (09/27). (Photo by: BPMI Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Tuesday (09/27) expressed hope to Buton regency, Southeast Sulawesi province to maximize its potential so it can re-emerge as an asphalt-manufacturing industrial area.

“There is a great potential in Buton regency, Southeast Sulawesi province, namely asphalt mining. The problem is, we are currently importing asphalt up to approximately 5 million tons per year. Instead of carrying out production here, we always choose to import,” President Jokowi said after inspecting asphalt factory PT Wika Bitumen, Buton regency.

The President also ordered related ministries/institutions to resolve the problem by immediately downstreaming asphalt mining products so it can provide more added value.

“I spoke with the minister, today we will see (the factory) firsthand and through the study, we hope that there will be industrial downstream here. The factories are all running, not merely mining raw materials since there is no added value. It cannot happen again. We must stop it,” he remarked. (MAY/UN) (GWH/MUR)