TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, in a gathering with members of his first-term "Working Cabinet", reinstated that VP Jusuf Kalla is a great figure to hold discussions with and exchange ideas throughout the past 5 years.

"Pak Jusuf Kalla has abundant experience in many fields. He was once a businessman, Chairman of Golkar Party, he was also a state minister, coordinating minister, vice president, every experience there is he owns," said President Jokowi at the State Palace where the gathering was held on Friday, October 18, 2019.

The gathering was attended by First Lady Iriana Jokowi, Jusuf Kalla's wife, Mufidah Kalla, the entire State Ministers for Jokowi's first term from 2014 to 2019, former Ministers, up to expert presidential staff.

"That is the reason why each morning, dawn, midnight, we always talk on the phone or meet in person to exchange ideas prior to making crucial decisions for this country," the President recalled.

He also thanked the entire Cabinet members who worked with him under clear and concise goals for the past 5-years. As mentioned numerous times, Jokowi's first term focused on developing Indonesia’s infrastructures while his upcoming Cabinet dubbed the "Working Cabinet Volume II" will focus on developing the country's human resources.

From the gathering of State Ministers, only Coordinating Minister of Politics, Law, and Security Affairs Wiranto was absent as he is still undergoing medical treatment following the recent injury suffered from an attack against him.

ANTARA