Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia Prior to Overseas Working Visits in Australia and Papua New Guinea, July 3, 2023

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh,

Today, I, accompanied by limited entourage, will kick off two-days working visit in Sydney, Australia and one-day working visit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Australia and Papua New Guinea are not only close neighbors and friendly countries, but also strategic partners for Indonesia in Pacific region.

This working visit holds significant strategic values for Indonesia, as in Australia, I will attend the 2023 Annual Leaders’ Meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The last Annual Leaders’ Meeting was held in June 2022 in Bogor. I will also meet with the Governor-General and CEOs in Australia who have made investments in Indonesia or are planning to do so. Several agenda will be discussed in Australia including investment, trade considering that the value of investment and trade of Australia in Indonesia has increased drastically. Health, energy transition, and human resources sectors will also be discussed.

On July 5th, I will continue my working visit to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. This visit is a reciprocal visit in response to an invitation from Prime Minister James Marape. In addition to meeting with Prime Minister Marape, I will also meet with the Governor-General and attend the first Indonesia-Papua New Guinea business forum.

Insyaallah, I will return to Indonesia on July 6, 2023 in Jayapura, Papua to attend the Papua Street Festival on July 7, 2023.

That concludes my statement on this auspicious occasion. I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Reporter
Sir, the Susi Air pilot is currently still being taken hostage, while the negotiation period has already ended. I wonder what the Government’s stance is regarding the finished negotiation period, considering that the hostage is threatened to be killed?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

We will continue negotiating. Actually, there are many things we did there, but I can’t disclose them here.

Reporter
Sir, related to the Vale mine. Vale contract might come to an end next year, while the investment has no permits and clarity yet. How far has the progress reached, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

We will decide soon, insyaallah, this month. The main point is that national interests must be prioritized, but we also don’t want to harm investors, it should be a win-win solution. And, most importantly is that industrialization and downstream processing must truly progress.

Reporter
Sir, related to Mr. SBY’s comments about ‘meddling’. Mr. SBY is concerned about the potential abuse of power and the use of state facilities to support specific presidential candidate. What is your response, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

I have repeatedly said that the election organizer is the KPU (General Election Commission). The Government provides support including security and logistics distribution. And, most importantly, as I have also said many times, thepolitical neutrality of our Defense Forces (TNI), National Police (POLRI), civil servants must be preserved. So, there is no need to worry about that.

Reporter
One more question, Sir. Following the summons of Minister of Youth and Sports by the Attorney General’s Office [regarding the base transceiver station (BTS) graft case at Ministry of Communication and Informatics], what is your response?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

The important thing is to respect all legal processes. All of us should respect the legal process by fulfilling the summon from either the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) or from the Attorney General’s office to provide explanations and clarifications.

Reporter
Thank you, Mr. President.

(AP/LW)