Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Preemployment Card Alumni Gathering at Sentul International Convention Centre (SICC), Bogor Regency, West Java Province, June 17, 2022
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Good afternoon,
May peace be upon us all,
Om swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of virtue.
Distinguished Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, he is the driving force of Preemployment Card, along with Bu Deni, Mas Hengki Sihombing, and all the PMO (Project Management Office) members involved,
Distinguished Minister of Finance, Presidential Chief of Staff, Minister of Manpower,
Distinguished Governor of West Java in attendance, Commander of Military Region, Chief of Regional Police,
Distinguished alumni of Preemployment Card program,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Distinguished Head of the 9th Commission of the House of Representatives,
I am very pleased with this program, Preemployment Card program, because I well remember it was early March, on March 2, when COVID-19 entered our country, the very first case was detected on that date. Then a month later, perhaps on April 11, Preemployment Card was begun. Hence, the situation at the time was the COVID-19 pandemic situation. How does one prepare a program amidst large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) and public activity restrictions (PPKM)? Imagine.
But I do appreciate that at present, 115 million people have registered, 84 million have been verified, and 12.8 million have been accepted. This is huge. This figure is not small. The productivity, skills, and work experience of the 12.8 million increased because of this training. 12.8 million. Can it be done without using digital platforms? Impossible. Right? Isn’t that right?
I am pleased with the platform that has been built. As Pak Airlangga (Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto) said, the money is not distributed—the budget is not distributed from the ministry, to provinces, to regencies, to cities, then to participants. This is straight from Minister of Finance to the participants.
Such platform is created by the youth. It is impossible for old generation like me to create a good platform like this, so Mas Hengki Sihombing shared about that and his young friends. I know, let me use Mas Hengki as an example. If he works at a corporation, his salary would be above Rp150 million already. He is willing to join the PMO whose exact salary I am not aware of. I am shy to mention that because it is given by the Government, it may be only 1/3 or 1/4 of that. Imagine. The youth, I know many young people at the PMO who prepare the system, who prepare the application platform, and most importantly, they truly bring benefits.
Therefore, I am asking for a representative from the east [of Indonesia] to come forward, who thinks Preemployment Card brings benefits. If they think that it has no benefit, then what is the point? I want optimistic youths. Please.
Is anyone from the west of Indonesia? One male, please, please. Yes. Hurry up. Just one, not two. I asked for one person. One. That is two. One. One. Just one.
One more. No, because he seems motivated and refuses to return, so two is alright. One more from Central Indonesia. One more, yes. No one comes forward after this. That will be all. Stop.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, the first one. Where are you from? Tell me your name first.
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Yes. Thank you, Bapak President. My name is Pudencia.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Who?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Pudencia. Pudencia.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Pudencia?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Yes. Yes, Bapak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Your nickname?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
My nickname is Dea.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Pudencia, your nickname is Dea? How come? Pudencia, the nickname is Dea. It doesn’t add up actually, but okay, Dea. Where are you from?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
I’m from Ende, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
From Ende, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. How did you know about the Preemployment program? How did you register? What training did you choose?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Yes. Thank you, Bapak.
I found out from the internet, from Google. From Google, I saw the training and I immediately started to try. I had tried since the first batch, but I was accepted on the 13th batch.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
It means that participants are selected carefully. Right? Not all applicants are approved because in reality, you registered on the first batch and was accepted on the 13th batch.
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Yes, Bapak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Goodness. Before this, where did you work or where did you study?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
I participated the Preemployment training when I was still a non-permanent employee at the local community health center. In East Nusa Tenggara, non-permanent employees do not receive a salary, so…
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
So you registered?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Then I participated the Preemployment training through the internet. In our village, the network is weak, so I had to go to the city to register. I registered for the first batch up to the 13th batch, but I never passed. I passed on the 13th batch. God bless. I immediately attended a training on karier.mu and sekolah.mu platforms.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
You used karier.mu platform? Yes. Okay.
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
After that, I took some trainings. There were three trainings, on Microsoft Excel, Word, and another one…
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
My question now is, is the transfer complete?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Complete.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Received?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Received, Bapak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Not missing even one Rupiah?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
No.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
As much as I remember, there should be Rp1 million for training, and Rp600,000, Rp600,000, Rp600,000, Rp600,000 four times. Correct?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Yes.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Did you receive it all?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Yes, Bapak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Is there anything else? No? Okay. That means it is true? No, it must be checked. Checked. Do not let the money go to other accounts. Okay. That is correct.
Now, what benefits did you gain after joining?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
After joining [the program], thank God, I was accepted at the smallest airport in East Nusa Tenggara, namely Sabu Raijua Airport, Tardamu Airport.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Once you took the training, you were accepted at the airport?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Not yet, Pak. When I took the training, there was a vacancy and I applied and got a call. I was asked, “Do you want to work in a remote area?” I am from Ende. To go to Sabu, I have to use a boat or a plane. There is no land route.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Then?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
In Sabu—maybe you don’t know Sabu because Sabu is not in the map of Indonesia.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Could you take [your mask] off? Sometimes I am able to hear you, sometimes I am not able.
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
I’m nervous.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Last one, what is your suggestion for Preemployment Card?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
What do you mean by suggestion, Pak?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Well, suggestion. Pak, just dismiss Preemployment Card. It is not useful. You can say that if you are bold. Right? One can still make that suggestion although one gets the benefits. It’s called suggestion. Suggestion?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Right. Thank you. My suggestion is not to stop Preemployment [program] here. Although you are no longer our President in the future, it should be continued for as long as you live.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
This will cause an uproar. Be careful. Be careful. Stop. It will make a noise. Let us change the topic a bit.
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Pak, may I say something else?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
What is it?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Greetings from Ende, Pak. Thank you for visiting Ende. Bapak President stayed for three days in Ende. Because you said it was the first time you visited Ende for two nights and three days. Thank you so much, Bapak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes. Please tell me your name. Where are you from?
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
My name is Niam Al-Muzaki, Pak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Niam? Niam Al-Muzaki? What should I call you?
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Niam.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Niam. Dea, Niam.
Well, tell me about that. How did you know Preemployment Card? How did you register? Was it easy or difficult?
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Right. In the opening month, Pak, I opened it when I was still at an Islamic boarding school as an employee.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Islamic boarding school?
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Yes, Pak. Islamic boarding school employee.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
So, Niam is an Islamic boarding school employee?
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Yes, Pak. At the time, I was browsing government news. There was Preemployment [program] opening, then I registered on the first batch. Thank God, I passed on the 19th batch.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Passed on the 19th batch? Dea passed on the 13th, you on 19th. One needs to be smarter then. Luckier, not smarter, luckier. Okay. Please.
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Well, at the time I was informed that I passed. I immediately registered for office management [training], Pak, at the time.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Office management training. Okay.
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Office administration.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Office administration. Okay. Why did you choose office administration?
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Because at the time, I worked at the secretariat, Pak. And I like to count.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Like to count. What does it have to do with office administration?
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
To register the number of students, the number of employees who will join and leave.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
There is a connection. Okay. Then the Rp1 million, the Rp600,000, Rp600,000, Rp600,000, Rp600,000, did you receive it all in your account?
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
I did receive it all.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes. That is the most important thing. Now what are the benefits?
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Well, the benefit—after in tried applying in regions… I am from Cirebon, Pak. Yes, I applied to various companies. Thank God, I was accepted by a partner of PT Pertamina EP Cirebon, Pak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, good.
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
As procurement or tender officer, Pak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Because of trainings. Did you use the certificate? And it seems to be one of the things they assessed? Pertamina?
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
One of them, Pak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Good. Good. What is your suggestion?
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
I suggest that alumni shall be continuously supervised, Pak. It means that it is not done when we register for trainings, but there should be a supervision to boost motivation.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
This is a good suggestion, Coordinating Minister. Good suggestion, Bu Deni. Good suggestion. Good. Yes, thank you.
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Right. Thank you.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
You first, please. Name, where are you from?
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Allow me to take off my mask, Pak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, please.
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Bismillah. My name is like your minister’s, Sandi Noviandi Samiaji.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Like who?
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Minister. How come you forgot? Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Sandi?
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Noviandi Samiaji. Sandi Noviandi Samiaji.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji.
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
We only have ‘Sandi’ in common.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Only ‘Sandi’.
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
But [I’m] not a minister, Pak. Pray for me, I don’t know what cabinet it will be.
Okay. I want to share a story.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Where are you from?
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
This is why I came forward. I am a representative of the local people of Bogor. Kang Emil (Governor of West Java Ridwan Kamil), I am one of his people. If you want to post it, it will be okay.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Bogor. Good.
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Bismillah. Pak, I want to address an issue about Preemployment Card, but what I mean is different from the mainstream issue. I was pessimistic at first, Pak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Pessimistic?
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
I was pessimistic when I watched you campaign during the Presidential Debate, the picture of Preemployment Card was shown. I thought, “It will never happen.” I waited a year, two years, I did not pass, Pak. I was going to tag #PreemploymentCardisUseless because I did not pass, as someone who did not pass.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
In the end you will suggest that the program is dismissed. Please continue.
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Okay, from then on—the previous ones were accepted on the 13th, 19th batch. Perhaps I am the smartest. I don’t know. I got accepted on the ninth batch. Tried nine times in a row.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Accepted on the ninth batch?
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
The ninth batch, Pak. God willing. After that, I checked out which training is the most interesting. Well, because my name is similar, Pak, it is a coincidence that Pak Sandi (Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy) has Rumah Siap Kerja (Ready to Work House, a career training platform). I am a representative of Rumah Siap Kerja. Rumah Siap Kerja is fostered by Pak Sandiaga Uno. I think its trainings are interesting because I like hydroponics, Pak, hydroponics.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Hydroponics?
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Hydroponics is [planting] vegetables in water. I took the training. What made me interested is because I do plant wiwitan (traditional ritual before planting and harvesting rice). Second, that may be one of the programs that is reciprocal, Pak. I got the starter kit. Other trainings probably only have online videos, Pak. I am being honest, Pak, but the training is interesting. Thank God, if you ask me the benefits, after I took the training, I have a little knowledge. Thank God, I have become a little bit of a trainer of hydroponic trainings.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Oh, good.
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
I often open classes although they are not full, Pak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
You open classes instead?
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
I open classes instead, classes with not many participants, Pak. Perhaps with this [introduction], they can become full, Pak. For those who want hydroponics training in Bogor, West Java, you can contact me. At the time, thank God, I already had [the financial assistance] and I used some of it to buy tools and some other to buy meatball soup and chicken noodle. Not bad. Thank God, it was useful and I who used to be pessimistic became optimistic, especially when I got a call. And I—my purpose is to meet Pak Jokowi. If I got a bike as a bonus, then thank God. This is just my prayer, Pak. Sometimes when you pray, it is granted. Sometimes it is not, or replaced by something else, that is okay, Pak.
Okay, and I thank God, I became optimistic and made that result and thank God I can be proud of it too. Don’t mind about the bike, Pak. I am already proud to meet you.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Suggestions?
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Suggestion. To be honest, Pak, I have several things that I want to say. First, if possible, your Preemployment program is extended, not just because it is your work program. Regardless of your service period, this program should be continued, not because of the president but because of the benefits. That is the first.
Second, if possible, there are several things and only if it is possible. Ibu Deni or Pak Hengki, please take note of negative posts about Preemployment Card. For example, I wanted to sign my relative up, but I kept failing to set the address. I don’t know if there is an error with the ID card or if that is how Preemployment Card system works.
Third, it should be continued if possible, Pak. It is not only because of the President. The problem is that the form will change a lot because God willing, as said before, the status of COVID-19 will change to endemic, so from offline to online, Pak.
And I hope, frankly I only have one issue, which I have just addressed to you, about marketing, Pak. Let us say we have been trained, Pak, we have been trained and we are capable. I sometimes don’t know where to sell it, Pak. I have a village, Pak. I have 10-20 kg [of produce], but no one buys it, Pak. If I give it to my neighbors, the price is high, “What is this? It only costs Rp5,000 at the market. How come it costs Rp30,000?”
I say, “It is hydroponic [produce] from Preemployment.” But they still refuse, Pak. So if possible, I would like Bu Deni and Pak Hengki to write it down if you have a pen. If possible, based on my experience, change it from online to offline. Then second, please help with marketing, Pak. If possible, I’m from Rumah Siap Kerja, another endorsement, Rumah Siap Kerja should extend its service and help its trainees with marketing. Don’t just give them [money].
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Continuous supervision, is that it?
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Continuous supervision until the process is complete, Pak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Supervision. Please take notes, Bu Deni.
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Supervised. Thank you in advance, Pak. I hope it can continue. Regardless of the President, I support this program. I hope it will bring good things to you, your family, and all Indonesian people.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Amen.
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
I am also the same as him, Pak. I am from an Islamic boarding school, Pak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Okay. Thank you. You asked for a bike, I will give you one.
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Thank you so much, Pak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
The others did not ask for it, so…
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Pak, I came all the way from Ende, how come…
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Pak, can I get a special autograph? I already brought a marker.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Get the bike first. Where is it? Did you bring it?
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Pak, allow me. Bapak, I came a long way from Ende. How come I get nothing?
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Hold it, hold it, it is my turn, it is my turn. Calm down, ladies. Ladies, calm down. Ladies, hold it.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
You did not ask for anything. He did.
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
I prayed, Pak. I did not ask, I only prayed, Pak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
One. Just one, one.
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Only one, Pak. Not too many. Save it for the others in other places.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I will give one. That is it. Please, it has been taken directly.
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Now, Pak? We could have the photo session first. It will not be gone, Pak. The most important thing is actually the photo session, Pak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, this is the last.
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Thank you, Pak. Greetings of success. Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Walaikum’salam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Please.
Ida Nuklimah (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Allow me, Bapak President and Ibu Minister, let me take my mask off first.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Your name?
Ida Nuklimah (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Walaikumsalam
Ida Nuklimah (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
My name is Ida Nuklimah. I am from Bumiayu, Brebes regency, Central Java province.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Mbak Ida from Brebes? Brebes?
Ida Nuklimah (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Yes.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes.
Ida Nuklimah (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
I am an alumna of Preemployment Card batch three. The early batches, Pak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Which batch?
Ida Nuklimah (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Third batch.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Third batch?
Ida Nuklimah (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Yes, when COVID-19 first appeared. Thank God, I read Preemployment Card’s IG and also media that there is a Preemployment program. Coincidentally, at the time I was a freelancer and a mother of two children, Pak. Thus, I hope, especially as a mother, a woman, I want to help my family’s economy so that women can be independent and not rely only on our husbands. That is why I registered, and thank God on the third batch I was accepted.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Did you use and receive all four transfers of Rp600,000 and the Rp1 million?
Ida Nuklimah (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Thank God, I used it. Because my hobbies since I was at school have been writing, cooking, and tinkering computers, Pak, I took several trainings. First, a training on how to make fudgy brownies from Baking World.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
What? How to make?
Ida Nuklimah (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Brownies, Pak. Brownies. Brownies cake.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Right. Yes.
Ida Nuklimah (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Second, a training on marketing methods, how I can market what I make at home, by taking an online home entrepreneurship training guided by cariilmu. And third, my background is actually education, but as I am a housewife, I want to expand my knowledge, so I took a training from sekolah.mu.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes. Yes.
Ida Nuklimah (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
At sekolah.mu, there is a training on how the Merdeka Belajar (Freedom to Learn) curriculum works. There.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes. Yes. Do you have any suggestion?
Ida Nuklimah (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
I do, Pak. I happen to bring my product. Would you allow me to take it, Pak?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
You must be asking for endorsement.
Ida Nuklimah (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Would you please allow me to take it later, Pak?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, you could.
Ida Nuklimah (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Or would you allow me to take it now, Pak?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Later.
Ida Nuklimah (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Yes, Pak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, yes.
I think everything is clear about the benefits and indeed, a survey of Statistics Indonesia mentioned that 88.9 percent of recipients stated that Preemployment Card program improves skills. It means that the result is the 88.9 percent. I must appreciate the Coordinating Minister and his whole team and we hope it continues to be evaluated, corrected, improved. I think all suggestions are accepted. The one about supervision is good, I suppose. If someone asks for endorsement, then endorse. One by one. That is okay. [Use] the products if possible.
Because indeed the global situation is not an easy one. All countries experience inflation, all countries experience food price surges, all countries experience fuel oil price surges, everyone. Therefore, we must all be productive, must be productive. Therefore, upskilling and reskilling are paramount to our country.
The key to this country’s advance is human resources, not merely natural resources. We have abundant natural resources, but if the human resources provide no support, it means nothing. But if the natural resources are supported by good human resources like the people on my right and left, if it is supported, this will advance the country
We can take photos for a minute, please. You asked for a photo. Who is taking the photos? Ask for the photos later.
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Pak, allow me. Can I take a selfie?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
It has been taken by the camera there, but you still ask for a selfie.
Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient
Please, Pak?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, take it quickly.
I already gave a bike. I am giving the three of you a choice. Do you want a bike?
Ida Nuklimah (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
I do, Pak. As it happened, my children asked me to ask for a bike if I met Bapak Jokowi.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
A bike, okay. Another bike. Please get one out, if we still have a bike.
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Bapak, because my laptop is broken, may I ask for a laptop, Bapak?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Later someone will ask for a plane, a car, wow. Asked for a laptop, okay, I will give it to you.
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Thank you, Bapak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
But I don’t bring a laptop for you. I will send it, okay.
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Please send it to Ende, Bapak? Will you send it to Ende?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I don’t know, this afternoon or tomorrow you can already receive it.
Pudencia (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Thank you so much, Bapak.
Ida Nuklimah (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Bapak, may I ask for one more thing?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
That is all. Stop.
Last one?
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
I am asking for a motorcycle, Pak.
Sandi Noviandi Samiaji (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
If he asks for a motorcycle, the three of us will protest. We will protest, Pak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
This is worse, motorcycle. I gave bikes, gave laptop.
Last one, once again?
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
Motorcycle.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
What is the motorcycle for?
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
To work, Pak. To commute. Pak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Commute? What have you been using [to commute]?
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
I use KK, Pak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I will ask once more, what do you ask for?
Niam Al-Muzaki (Representative of Preemployment Card Recipient)
A bike for my wife, Pak.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
A bike, then. Okay, a bike is acceptable. Let three bikes out.
That is all. Thank you, everyone.
I thought someone would ask for my jacket. Apparently no one did. My jacket is safe.
That concludes my statement on this auspicious occasion. This is an excellent meeting and we hope there will be evaluations, corrections for Preemployment Card, to enhance Indonesia’s human resources.
I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
(DH/HD)