Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia and the First Lady after the Awarding of Order of Merit of the Republic of Indonesia, at the State Palace, Jakarta, August 14, 2023

Journalists
What is your take, sir, after the awards given to the First Lady and Mrs. Wury?

First Lady (Iriana Joko Widodo)
Naturally, I would like to thank the Government for giving me this honor.

Journalists
Sir, what is your take on the awarding of the stars to the First Lady as well as Mrs. Wury?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Well, those are all from, they are proposed and under consideration of the Board of Title, Order of Merit, and State Decoration.

Journalists
Regarding the FIFA President, previously Mr. Mahfud said he would also give the honor to the FIFA President Gianni Infantino?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Gianni Infantino can’t attend, maybe it will be awarded in November.

Journalists
That means during the World Cup, sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Possibly yes.

Journalists
What are the criteria for the figures being awarded?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
That’s the decision of the Board, not mine.

Journalists
Although most of them support your daily activities?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
You can ask the Board. Ask the Board.

Journalists
May I request your comments, ma’am?

First Lady (Iriana Joko Widodo)
Thank you for this honor. Actually, I also don’t quite understand, because Mr. Jokowi didn’t tell me.

Journalists
When did you get the news, ma’am?

First Lady (Iriana Joko Widodo)
Even when I received the invitation, I asked him, “Sir, I received an invitation to receive this.”

Journalists
Were you surprised, ma’am?

First Lady (Iriana Joko Widodo)
No, I generally never do.

Journalists
So, it was a sweet surprise from the President, wasn’t it, ma’am?

First Lady (Iriana Joko Widodo)
Mr. Jokowi never gives surprises.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
It’s from the Board.

Journalists
Sir, allow me to ask you another question, concerning politics. The parties of Golkar and PAN have now declared their support for Mr. Prabowo. Meanwhile, PDIP party is still supporting Mr. Ganjar. What about you, sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
That’s the parties’ affair. That’s Golkar party’s affair, PAN party’s affair, Gerindra party’s affair, PKB party’s affair, I suppose.

Journalists
Was there any communication to you beforehand?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
No, no, no, that’s their affair. The affairs of the coalition, the affairs of cooperation are the affairs of the party, I’m not the chairperson of any party, I’m the president.

Journalists
Regarding pollution, sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
The meeting will be held soon. The meeting will be an open meeting. You can check it out. All of us are invited, Jakarta is invited, the Governor of Jakarta is invited, Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) is invited. All those related to Jakarta’s pollution are invited because it is a concern for all of us to resolve, to find solutions.

(FI/MMB)