Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia after the Inauguration of the Pamulang – Cinere – Raya Bogor Toll Road, at the Main Limo Toll Gate, Depok City, West Java Province, January 8, 2024

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, we hope that the Pamulang – Cinere – Raya Bogor Toll Road will really give people lots of choices, people will have lots of alternatives as to which roads they can take if they want to go somewhere. So, we hope that mobility of people, goods, logistics, everything will be better, faster. That’s the goal, because the roads being built, namely the Inner Ring Road, then Jakarta Outer Ring Road 1 and Jakarta Outer Ring Road 2, are meant to avoid traffic jams within Jakarta because people don’t need to pass through Jakarta. I think that’s it.

Journalists

Concerning the salary increase for TNI (Indonesian National Defense Forces) and Polri (Indonesian National Police), have you signed [the regulation], Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

As far as I remember, I have.

Journalists

So, will the regulation be issued this week or this month, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Pardon?

Journalists

When will the regulation be issued, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, as soon as possible. It will be issued as soon as possible and I hope it can improve their welfare and purchasing power, and also have an impact on the economy.

Journalists

Sir, yesterday it was mentioned in the [presidential] debate that in your era the salary increase was only four times, while in the previous era it was nine times. So, what’s your response to that, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

The fiscal and economic situations we are facing are different from the previous ones. Our decision to increase or not to increase the salaries must be based on careful considerations. If our fiscal position is under external pressure, for example by COVID-19 recently, then by the trade war, then by geopolitics which doesn’t allow it, it is impossible for us to do it. Everything must be based on careful considerations and calculations.

Journalists

Will you attend the PDIP [a political party] anniversary on January 10, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

I haven’t received the invitation yet.

Journalists

With regard to the 42 national strategic projects (PSN) that can’t be completed in 2024, what are the projects, Sir? And in the future, will their construction be continued or is there any other plan, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, it will be continued. There’s no reason to stop it.

Journalists

What are the projects, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

The projects cover everything, just check them, ask Bappenas (the National Development Planning Agency).

Journalists

In the [presidential] debate, it was said that the defense sector only scored five and below five [from the maximum score of 10]. What’s your opinion, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Ask the Minister of Defense.

Journalists

What about your meeting with the Chairpersons of the political parties, Sir? Like your meeting with Mr. Prabowo (the Minister of Defence) and Mr. Zulhas (Zulkifli Hasan, the Minister of Trade) yesterday? Does this indicate the direction of your support or is there anything else, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

[We only had] dinner, lunch, breakfast.

Journalists

But Sir, there are suspicions that you are not neutral because you met with the coalition representatives from the [Presidential] Candidate Pair number 2, Sir. What’s your response?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

We met at night, on holidays, and we had meals too.

Journalists

Did you discuss the upcoming presidential election too?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

We discussed various topics, including governmental affairs and the upcoming presidential election.

Journalists

Yesterday Mr. Anies (the presidential candidate number 1) spoke about ethics. What’s your response, Sir?

Thank you, Sir.

(TM/MUR)