TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in commemoration of the 2023 National Press Day in North Sumatra acknowledged that his presidential status is the result of his relationship with the press.

“I have a meaningful personal experience staying close with the press,” the President said in the event on Thursday, February 9, before dozens of journalists who were also present.

He recalled his time as mayor, governor, and president, which he said had always involved journalists as he paid numerous grassroots visits.

“The press has proven and brought hope that an ordinary person like myself has the chance to be president,” said Jokowi.

Jokowi's political career began as mayor of Solo, Central Java in 2005. He then resigned from mayor duties to enter the gubernatorial election in the Capital City of Jakarta.

He was then elected as Governor of Jakarta in 2012 and in 2014, before completing his time, stepped down from governor’s office in the same year and officially became President of Indonesia.

Since the beginning, said Jokowi, the media has contributed to rice in voicing calls for the struggle for independence. Then, voicing innovation and development and becoming the main pillar of democratization.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO

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