Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Commemoration of 2023 Constitutional Day and the 78th Anniversary of the People’s Consultative Assembly, at Nusantara Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, August 18, 2023

Reporter

Sir, one of the things you mentioned was the State Policy Guidelines (PPHN) to give clear directives to the country on major vision and mission. Does it mean that the President support the amendment of the Constitution or what, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Well, PPHN is important in giving directives, guidelines, because it contains the policy guidelines. However, I say once again, PPHN, as the Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly mentioned, does not go in details, it is philosophical, not detail, so it gives flexibility to the executive which I think is good.

Reporter

How about the amendment, Sir? Since today is Constitutional Day, how do you respond to the amendment?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

It is a process; the general election is on process. In the near time, we will hold general elections, presidential election, legislative election, so, I think it is better to continue the process after the elections.

Reporter

Sir, how about food estate program that was criticized by Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) for serving a certain group’s interest?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

So, we build food estate in order to anticipate food crisis. Beware, all regions, all countries today are having food crisis. Wheat problem occurs in all countries, those who consume wheat are having problem today, the price is also increasing drastically. Second, rice. After India stop exporting [rice], those who consume rice are also having problem, the price is rising. Therefore, food estate important for our reserves, be it for strategic reserves or for exporting if we have an abundant stock because other countries need it. So, that is what it is for.

For your information, building food estate is not as easy as you imagine. The first crop will likely to fail, the second crop will see 25 percent of the expected result, the third one, the seventh one, the sixth one, the seventh one will be most likely resulting normally. So, it is not as easy as we imagine

We build it in Humbang Hasundutan regency, the third crop is slightly better in giving result, not quite good, but slightly better. The one in Pisau Island, Central Kalimantan, is not in a good and normal condition yet, probably only half of the expected result. The one in Mount Mas, it is also similar. The problems emerge in the fields are not as easy as we imagine. So, all things will be improved and evaluated, corrected and redone. If we do not venture out, give in to the first attempt’s failure, we will never know.

Reporter

Sir, the issue concerned here is about the implementation because it is assumed that it will be subjected to a number of groups, especially those that are affiliated to Pak Prabowo. Does it need to be investigated or what, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Well, that is a matter of work, some ministries are involved, such as Ministry of Agriculture that handles technical aspect. PUPR Ministry that handles land clearing, irrigation. Ministry of Defense that handles strategic reserves. I think these elements are doing the process of preventing food crisis, those measures should be done inevitably. The fact that some food estates show result, some only produce half of the expected result, and some do not show result yet, well, it has to be corrected, improved, and evaluated. Enough.

Reporter

About Mas Gibran to be considered as the vice-presidential candidate for Pak Ganjar, if the Constitutional Court gives permission on 35-year-old age limit, Sir, as Mbak Puan said, as Bu Puan said?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Ask Bu Puan.

(AW/LW)