Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia During the Handover of Bonuses to Athletes of the 2023 ASEAN Para Games at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, July 3, 2023

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good morning,

May peace be upon us all,

Shalom,

Om swastiastu,

Namo Buddhaya,

Greetings of virtue.

Distinguished Minister of Youth and Sports and ministers in attendance, Chairperson of the National Paralympic Committee and all members of its management board, Chef de Mission, athletes, coaches, assistant coaches, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you. The nation, the state, and the people are very proud of all of you for securing the overall champion title in the 2023 ASEAN Para Games. This is the third time in a row. Once again, thank you. Thanks to your perseverance, Indonesia succeeded to bring home 158 gold medals, 148 silver medals, and 95 bronze medals. This is an extraordinary achievement.

And for that reason, the Government will give bonuses for athletes, coaches, and assistant coaches. The budget has been set aside. Minister, has it? Because the budget that must be prepared is not small, Minister, Rp320,500,000,000. The Minister has given a sign that it is ready. The amount is Rp525 million for gold, Rp315 million for silver, and Rp157.5 million for bronze.

I would like to urge you to please do use the bonus to continue practicing and making achievements. Do not use it to buy luxury goods. Buy goods for long-term investments because the amount is huge. Rp525 million for gold medalists. It is not a small amount, especially for an athlete who won multiple medals, whom I saw in front of me. It means that the bonus needs to be invested well and properly.

Once again, thank you for being a real example that hard work in making achievements does matter. It brings glory to the nation and the state.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

(DH/MUR)