Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia During 50th Anniversary of the United Development Party (PPP) and Opening of the National Workshop of Members of the House of Representatives and Regional People’s Representative Assembly from PPP at Sriwijaya Hall ICE BSD City Tangerang, Banten Province, February 17, 2023
Reporter:
You attended the 50th anniversary of the PPP.
Could you explain the optimism of the party in garnering votes?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
The United Development Party (PPP) is the oldest existing Islamic party to date with strong infrastructure and networking for 50 years. The party is careful with a big branding it has. So, I could see that the party can, God Willing, achieve the target. It is not something difficult to accomplish, as long as all resources and apparatus from the central and regional level put their best effort and remain solid.
Reporter:
You mentioned a number of presidential hopefuls.
Who do you support, Pak?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
If I mentioned the names one by one, it would cause uproar. So, I mentioned them all.
Reporter:
What position do you think is suitable for Pak Mardiono?
Presidential candidate or vice president candidate?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
He is suitable as either presidential candidate or vice presidential candidate.
Reporter:
Is it because the supported candidate did not show up in this event or there is another reason behind that?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
I have already said, the presidential candidates who are present in this event are among others Pak Prabowo, Pak Erick, Pak Sandi, Pak Mahfud, Pak AHY, and Pak PPP Chairman. Do not forget that.
Reporter:
But some presidential candidate did not come, did they, Pak?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
Some of them were not present.
Reporter:
Pak Erick as Chairperson of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI)?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
Yes, according to what I said, the Government will not intervene in any way in the PSSI.
Most importantly, there is a change, a total reform, and transformation. With strength and potentials, we can see the progress, the roadmap, and the planning can be truly seen at every stage.
What do we hope to achieve in 50 years? In 25 years? Next week I will ask that. Do you have a road map yet? Is there a target yet? To achieve the target, what are you going to you do? Everything has to be planned in detail if we want our football to make progress.
The most important thing is we have to build infrastructure especially the construction of a complete basecamp as the PSSI does not have it.
Until now, we do not have yet a basecamp. According to Shin Tae Yong, we need five fields in one location, lodging, and swimming pool for the players.
Reporter:
Sir, Pak Erick doesn’t have to resign, does he?
Both Pak Amali and Pak Erick have double positions.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
The most important thing is that everyone can manage their schedule. As we have already acknowledged that Basuki is Chairperson of the Rowing [Association]. He has been fine. Pak Airlangga has become Chairperson of Wushu [Association]. He can do it. Pak Luhut is also Chairperson of PASI [the Indonesian Association of Athletics]. He is able to manage it. Pak Prabowo is also Chairperson of Pencak Silat [Association]. He is also OK with that. This is a matter of management, such as time management, running the organization, and planning management. It’s a management issue.
Reporter:
Is there any possibility of replacement or a cabinet reshuffle, particularly Chairperson of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), in light of the criticism regarding the double positions?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
I have already said that earlier.
Reporter:
It is reported that you have opted for a closed election system?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
The Government, I need to say this, considers that there are pluses and minuses from the open election system. The closed election system is also the same. Political parties are free to choose.
Reporter:
Is it not true that you have given a directive on the issue?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
No. I’m not a leader of any political party.
(RY/EP)