Sutopo Inspires All of Us, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi receives Head of Information Data Center and Public Relations of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho at Bogor Palace, West java, Friday (5/10). Photo by: Jay/Public Relations Division of Cabinet Secretariat.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Friday (5/10) received Head of Information Data Center and Public Relations of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho at Bogor Palace, West Java.

During the meeting, the President praised Sutopo for his work and said that Sutopo always provides swift response and clear information regarding disasters occurring in Indonesia, including quakes, landslides, or tsunamis. On that occasion, Sutopo and President Jokowi also discussed a lot of things about the disasters that hit Lombok and Palu.

“His explanation is clear and is easily understood by the public, and he spreads the information more than once in a day,” President Jokowi said.

The President added that the work that Sutopo does inspires all of us since he is still committed to giving the best in his job regardless his health condition.

For the record, Sutopo has been diagnosed with a stage-four cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. The cancer, however, does not prevent him in delivering updated information on disasters.

Commenting on the meeting with President Jokowi, Sutopo, who enters the age of 49 on 7 October, said that he was very happy that he could meet with the President and get a photo signed by the President. “This is an extraordinary blessing. Today I can meet face to face with the President and I can shake hands directly with him. This is my most beautiful gift before my birthday,” Sutopo, accompanied by President Jokowi, told journalists after the meeting.

Sutopo further said that the he has been admiring the President since Jokowi was a mayor of Solo. “President Jokowi always thinks out of the box; always looks for alternatives and overcomes bureaucratic mindset,” Sutopo concluded.  (DNA/JAY/ES) (RI/EP/Naster)