Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia following the Inauguration of Governor, Deputy Governor of Yogyakarta and Head of the National Public Procurement Agency (LKPP), at State Palace, DKI Jakarta Province, October 10, 2022

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, I just inaugurated Bapak Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X as Governor of Special Region of Yogyakarta and Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Adipati Arya Paku Alam X as Deputy Governor of Special Region of Yogyakarta. The appointment is based on Law Number 13 of 2012 on Special Region of Yogyakarta.

After the inauguration, it is expected that Governor and Deputy Governor of Special Region of Yogyakarta can immediately work. Most importantly, I ordered them to focus the attention on matters related to food prices and inflation.

Journalist

Do you have any special order to the Governor for the next five years, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, on those two issues since they are major problems of all countries.

Journalist

Related to the inauguration of Head of the LKKP, do you have any special reason why did you choose him, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

I know Mr. Hendi [Hendrar Prihadi] as Mayor of Semarang for two periods. I know his track record, ability, and capacity in managing organization. It is our hope that the system in LKPP can be improved considering that it must manage goods/service worth hundreds of trillion. It will be worth thousands of trillion if regions also are included. In addition, goods/service procurement sector can be optimally managed.

Journalist

Sir, do you have any special reason, why did you choose cadres from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP)? Earlier, you appointed Mr. Azwar Anas [as Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform]. Now, you appointed Mr. Hendi who is also a cadre of PDIP as Head of the LKKP?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

As I said earlier, I appointed him based on his ability, integrity, track record. That’s what I observe.

Journalist

Sir, do you have any special target that Mr. Hendrar must achieve?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Most importantly, it is expected that more MSMEs’ products can join e-Katalog application; both central e-Katalog and local one. It is vital so that “Proud of Indonesian Products” national movement can be implemented through expenditure from the Central Government, State-owned Enterprises (SOEs), and regional governments.

Journalist

Related to the appointment of Interim Governor of Jakarta, why did you finally choose Mr. Heru Budi Hartono, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

It’s the same reason. I know him since he served as Mayor of North Jakarta and Head of the City Administration’s Finance and Asset Management. I know his track record, work ethic, capacity, ability, all of him. The way he communicates with others is noble. It is our hope that there will be the accelerations, as I said to Mr. Heru earlier. Major issues in DKI Jakarta provinces are traffic congestion, flood. Significant progress must be made. Another issue is related to spatial planning.

Journalist

Sir, related to meeting with Ibu Mega in Batutulis Bogor, it seems that the meeting is more intense.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Pardon?

Journalist

The meeting with political parties seems more intense, Sir. Where will the support votes be directed to?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

The meeting with chairpersons of political parties aimed to maintain political stability amid global economic situation that is uncertain, unpredictable, uncountable, and uncalculated. Therefore, political stability and security are critical. Do not let the momentum before general elections divide us, while major problem related to global economic issue happens. That’s what we do not want to face. Thus, I intensively talked with leaders of political parties. In addition, [the meeting] also discussed on 2024 [general elections].

Journalist

Is it right that after the meeting with Ibu Mega, you were requested to support Ibu Puan?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

You can ask Ibu Mega. The candidate has not been appointed by PDIP yet, right?

Journalist

Thank you, Mr. President.

(AP/HD/MUR)