Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia after the Inauguration of AMANAH Youth Creative Hub, Aceh Besar Regency, Aceh Province, October 15, 2024

Reporter

How was your visit to Aceh today?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

We have inaugurated a road with a budget of Rp696 billion. The project is based on Presidential Instruction on Regional Road. We hope this project will improve the mobility of goods, mobility of people, and speed of logistics, especially in Aceh province.

Reporter

Regarding the birth of your granddaughter, Mas Kaesang’s daughter, will you go directly to Jakarta after this?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

No. I will pay a working visit in Medan. My granddaughter was born this morning. I went there this morning, to the hospital, and at that time my granddaughter had not been born. Then I went to Aceh, and just now I got information that my granddaughter has been born.

Reporter

What is your response to President-elect Prabowo Subianto inviting 49 professionals, and 16 ministers of the Onward Indonesia Cabinet?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

First, that is the prerogative of the President-elect, General TNI Ret. Prabowo Subianto. That is his prerogative. We must respect the President-elect. Regarding the appointment of 15 or 16 ministers in the current cabinet, appointed by Mr Prabowo Subianto, I think it has been through careful consideration, through selection, and through his experience interacting with ministers for five years. The economic team appointed by him also supports continuity of the Government programs.

Reporter

What is your response to the recent Israel attacks on UN [peacekeeping forces]?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Indonesia strongly condemns the Israel attacks on Gaza, Lebanon, and UNIFIL in Lebanon. We strongly condemn that. The security of the peacekeeping forces must be guaranteed.

Reporter

What is your message and hope for Mr Prabowo regarding the continuity of the Government program?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

You may ask that question to Mr Prabowo.

Reporter

Mr President, what about the candidate for KPK commissioners?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yesterday I have signed the list of candidates for KPK commissioners and candidates for KPK council of supervisors.

Reporter

What is your message for the youth generation of Aceh, sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

I have said that the creative hub is a platform for innovation and creativity of young people in Aceh province. We hope that this place will also be an embryo for startup economies, and economies with modern technology, to shift the traditional agricultural economy towards modern agriculture, from traditional plantation to modern plantation, from products without packaging to ready-to-use products. I think this is an important leap of progress. I am glad that young people in Aceh are quickly adapting to technology for agriculture, plantation and other products, including patchouli, coffee and other commodities.

(RI/MMB)