TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Three popular news compiled by Tempo English on Wednesday, October 4, are Jokowi Reacts to Issues of State Budget as Loan Guarantee for China-backed Whoosh, NasDem Dismisses Syahrul Yasin Limpo Disappearance Rumors, Saying He Has Prostate Problems, and Agriculture Minister Has Not Yet Return to Indonesia amid Alleged Gratification Case.

The following is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today:

1. Jokowi Reacts to Issues of State Budget as Loan Guarantee for China-backed Whoosh

President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has spoken up about issues surrounding the debt for the construction project of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train (KCJB) being guaranteed by the State Budget (APBN). He told media reporters to ask Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati directly about the matter.

“Ask the Finance Minister,” he said as quoted from a press statement published on the Cabinet Secretariat’s website, on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

As previously reported, Sri Mulyani passed the Finance Minister’s Regulation Number 89 of 2023 concerning the government guarantees to accelerate the implementation of the country’s first bullet train.

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2. NasDem Dismisses Syahrul Yasin Limpo Disappearance Rumors, Saying He Has Prostate Problems

General Treasurer of the NasDem (National Democrat) Party, Ahmad Sahroni, dismissed rumors about the disappearance of one of their party members, Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo, during a working visit to Europe. Sahroni confirmed that Syahrul Yasin Limpo would eventually return to Indonesia.

"He didn't disappear," said Ahmad Sahroni when asked about the minister's whereabouts on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

Sahroni admitted that Syahrul Yasin Limpo was supposed to arrive in Jakarta on October 1, 2023. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Syahrul Yasin Limpo has not returned to Indonesia as originally planned.

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3. Agriculture Minister Has Not Yet Return to Indonesia amid Alleged Gratification Case

Director General of Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Silmy Karim, said that the Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, had not yet returned to Indonesia following the alleged gratification case that ensnared the NasDem (National Democrat) politician. Silmy stated that Syahrul Yasin Limpo's last whereabouts in Rome, Italy, were monitored from data on crossings and cooperation between countries.

The minister departed on September 24. He left Indonesia from Soekarno-Hatta Airport for Rome. Syahrul Yasin Limpo is scheduled to return on September 30 and arrive in Indonesia on October 1. "We have checked, there has not any info yet in the system that tells that the person is already in Indonesia," said Silmy when met after a limited meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

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