Like Duterte, Jokowi Believes in Potential of Citizens Outside Capital

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and President Rodrigo Duterte attend the launching of new sea route connecting the southern Philippines and eastern Indonesia.

 

Manila, Philippines, 4 Syaban 1438/1 May 2017 (MINA) — Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Sunday likened himself to President Rodrigo Duterte, who was also a mayor before becoming president.

In his speech at the launching of new sea route connecting Davao City, General Santos City and the port city of Bitung in East Indonesia, Widodo recalled his life as a mayor.

“I also feel moved and thankful to visit Davao, this wonderful city, this great region. Like you, Mr. President, I too was a mayor of a wonderful city like this in Solo City (Surukarta)… I can also very well imagine how much this city moves you,” Widodo said.

The Indonesian president added that he can just imagine how much Duterte means to Davaoeños.

Widodo said that, like Duterte, he also cares about citizens from outside the capital cities. He said that businessmen used to only concentrate on the island of Java, which is near Indonesia’s capital city, Jakarta.

“President Duterte, I know you care deeply for the areas of your proud country that are far from … the capital of Manila,” Widodo said.

“I, too, when I took office two and a half years ago, decided to address our imbalance in Indonesia,” he added.

 

‘Building nation from outside’

At present, Widodo said Indonesia’s infrastructure projects now focus on outer region. He said they call this “building our nation from the outside.”

Widodo assured the citizens from provinces that he and Duterte believe in them. “President Duterte and I sincerely believe that the people in the outer region are just as smart, are just as just as strong, are just as resourceful as the rich people in the capital cities,” the Indonesian president said.

“They only need one thing, one thing only – and that is to be given a chance,” he said.

Widodo said he hopes that the new roll-on/roll-off vessel service between Davao, General Santos and Bitung represents new opportunities that will foster new businesses for both Indonesians and Filipinos. He earlier said trade between the two countries has increased by 30 percent.

He thanked Duterte for his “extraordinary commitment in realizing the shipping route.”   (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA