Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Inauguration of Pontianak Port’s Kijing Terminal, in Mempawah Regency, West Kalimantan Province, August 9, 2022

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 9 Agustus 2022
Category: Press Statement @en
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Reporter
What do you think about this huge terminal, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
It is beyond my expectation. During the groundbreaking, never crossed in my mind it will be this big. It is also great that the port’s terminal has passed feasibility study and matched with the needs, be it for containers and non-containers, solid bulk and liquid bulk materials. I think West Kalimantan province has huge potentials in crude palm oil, alumina, bauxite, and many things.

Reporter
Will it be one of programs of downstreaming of bauxite industry?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
It is going in that direction, the downstreaming of crude palm oil, downstreaming of bauxite, and industrialization. Thereby, we will get multiple added values in forms of state revenue from corporate tax, employee tax, business entity tax, export duty, and also from non-tax state revenue. The most important benefit from downstreaming of the industry is creating as many jobs as possible for the people.

Reporter
One factor that attributes to Indonesia’s low competitiveness in global market is the high logistic cost, right?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
That’s why the port is developed; to improve speed, connectivity, and the most important thing is to improve competitiveness of our products.

Reporter
Is there any possibility to make the infrastructure open for foreign investors?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Considering the huge potentials, it is great if there is intention for investment. That means we will receive capital inflow that can strengthen our economy since West Kalimantan has huge potentials in crude palm oil, bauxite, alumina, and agricultural products.

Reporter
There is a 3,000 hectare plot of land behind this Kijing Terminal, what is your expectation for that space?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
It will be further developed to store liquid bulk oil tanks. The development will allow industries to be located near the port so there is no need of transportation from the factories and industries to the port. It will be very efficient.

Reporter
Do you have a preference for types of industrial sector that will be relocated there?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Any sectors that considered efficient and profitable for the business will be able to join. We cannot determine which one. I cannot say sector “A”. One thing for sure is that this facility will strengthen competitiveness of West Kalimantan products.

Reporter
Can I ask about another issue, Sir? I heard that the Police Chief will announce a new suspect in Ferdi Sambo’s case, do you have something to say about it?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
At the very beginning, I ordered to find the truth. Do not hesitate. Nothing must be covered up. Find the truth. Find the truth; we must not let public’s trust to the police diminish. This is the most important. We should maintain the police’s reputation.

 (RAS/MMB)

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