Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia After Inspection of Road Construction Site in Nusantara Capital (IKN), North Penajam Paser Regency, East Kalimantan Province, November 1, 2023

President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo
Well, to get to Nusantara we normally take the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road then enter Sepaku, it takes approximately two hours 15 minutes. So, we are now constructing this toll road, directly from Balikpapan to Nusantara, so the distance is only 57 kilometers and takes approximately 50 minutes. The toll road will speed up the mobility of people and goods to Nusantara in the future.

Journalist
How much is the progress percentage, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo
The progress is almost 55 percent and we expect it will be operational in June next year.

Journalist
[Inaudible] … is it also connected to the toll road?

President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo
It is. Everything is complete, but we also want to make the sides of toll road green. So, we have started planting Kalimantan endemic trees there. We hope the toll road will be greener in the future and we have prepared 60,000 trees for this toll road alone.

Journalist
Are the seeds from the Mentawir nursery, sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo
No. Not from Mentawir nursery, the seeds are from existing stock and are already here.

Journalist
One more thing, Sir. On the Governmental issue, you have proposed the name for the new Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Commander to the House of Representatives (DPR), is it true that he is Mr. Agus Subiyanto? What are the considerations, sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo
I already told you last week. First, he was Deputy Chief of Army Staff, then he became Army Chief of Staff. Nevertheless, if you look at his experience, be it in territorial, administrative, or academic, he meets the qualifications.

Journalist
Who will replace him as Army Chief of Staff?

President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo
Not yet, we’ll do it step by step. Such matter must obtain approval from the DPR first, and after we obtain that, we will think about the name.

 
I just received information from Governor of Bali Province regarding the campaign props relocation from the location where I came. I need to underscored that regional government, provincial government, regency, municipalities, the Central Government, all must be neutral. Civil servants as well as TNI and Polri personnel must also be neutral. Therefore, the local government must coordinate with party administrators in the regions prior to the relocation. Don’t let miscommunication happen and make everything bad.

Journalist
Some say what happened yesterday was not neutral, Sir. Some said that yesterday it was PDIP who was being protested, did it mean…

President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo
No, it means there must be communication. Please communicate, coordinate with party administrators in the regions so that miscommunication does not happen anymore.

Journalist
What if this violates city ordinances or regulations?

President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo
Well, please ask the local government.

Thank you.

 
(GWH/LW)