Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia During the Distribution of Government Rice Assistance to Beneficiary Families at South Tangerang City, Banten Province, February 19, 2024

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

 

Distinguished Minister of Investment,

Cabinet Secretary,

Head of the Logistics Agency (Bulog) Mr. Arief,

Director of Bulog Mr. Bayu,

Mayor of South Tangerang City,

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

I can see your face is so bright and happy.

 

Have you all received it (rice assistant)? Have you received it in January? In February and March, you will receive another assistance. Who doesn’t agree? April, May, June, you will receive it again. Those who do not agree raise hands, I’ll give them a bicycle. So it is for January, February, March, April, May, June. After June we will see whether the State Budget is sufficient or not. If it is sufficient, the assistance will continue.

 

So, all of you have received it? Does anyone have anything to say? Nothing? I want someone to come forward. Please raise your hand. But first, raise hand for you who can recite Pancasila. Wait a minute, the one who raises hand is the one who is enthusiastic.

 

Anyone else excited? Ok, you, please come.

 

Beneficiary Family
Sir, I didn’t go to school.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
No problem.

 

Beneficiary Family
I am uneducated.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
It’s okay. What’s your name?

 

Beneficiary Family
My name is Ida.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Ida? Where do you work?

 

Beneficiary Family
I am a janitor.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Where?

 

Beneficiary Family
I forget. I think in Ciater.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
How could you forget?

 

Beneficiary Family
BSD.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
BSD? How many kids do you have?

 

Beneficiary Family
One, married.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Can you recite Pancasila?

 

Beneficiary Family
I can’t.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Previously I asked those who can recite Pancasila to raise their hand.

 

Beneficiary Family
I want to meet you.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
You can see me from your seat.

 

Beneficiary Family
I can’t see you clearly.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Ok so you can’t recite Pancasila?

 

Beneficiary Family
I can’t.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Pancasila…

 

Beneficiary Family
Pancasila.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
One…

 

Beneficiary Family
One, Belief in one and only God.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Ok. One, Belief in one and only God. Two, Just and civilized humanity.

 

Beneficiary Family
Just and civilized humanity.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Three, Unity of Indonesia.

 

Beneficiary Family
Unity of Indonesia.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Four, Democratic life led by wisdom of thoughts in deliberation among representatives of the people.

 

Beneficiary Family
Democratic life led by wisdom of thoughts in deliberation among representatives of the people. It is too long.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Five, Social justice for all Indonesian people.

 

Beneficiary Family
Social justice for all Indonesian people.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Ok. Next, what is your name?

 

Beneficiary Family
I am Neneng.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Where do you live?

 

Beneficiary Family
In Ciater Maruga.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
In Ciater. Ok, Pancasila…

 

Beneficiary Family
One, Belief in one and only God;
Two, Just and civilized humanity;
Three, Unity of Indonesia;
Four, Democratic life led by wisdom of thoughts in deliberation among representatives of the people;
Five, Social justice for all Indonesian people.

I love you, Bapak. I love you.

 

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Why did you say ‘I love you’. Ok, I give you both bicycles. You can bring it home.

So, Ladies and Gentlemen, why does the Government give 10 kilograms of rice a month to all of you? Because we know that the price of rice in all countries in the world is now rising. Not only in Indonesia. Prices are rising in all countries. Why? Because of climate change, weather change, so many crops fail and harvest failure happens. The demand remains but the production has dropped. So, the price goes up. Thus, the Government provides rice assistance to help the people because the price has gone up.

 

That concludes my remarks on this auspicious occasion.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

  

(EST/EP)