TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi” Widodo welcomed Friday the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Dato Lim Jock Hoi, and five other ASEAN delegates at the Merdeka Palace.

On the occasion, Jokowi congratulated Lim Jock Hoi on the latter’s recent installment as the ASEAN sec-gen.

"Good morning. First, I would like to congratulate Your Excellency on your new position as the Secretary-General of ASEAN," said Jokowi.

Accompanying Lim Jock Hoi at the palace were Deputy Secretary-General for Community and Corporate Affairs AKP Mochtan; Director for Political-Security Directorate Pratap Parameswaran; Special Officer Office of Secretary-General: Hairani Tajuddin and Mahirah Mahusin; and Senior Officer Political Cooperation Division 1 Farah Monika.

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The president in his speech said Jock Hoi was no stranger in ASEAN, allowing for the latter’s extensive experience on issues surrounding the organization. Jokowi also voiced hopes that the ASEAN Secretariat building—whose construction is still ongoing—could be utilized at its best to facilitate ASEAN meetings.

Jokowi said his administration had strived to ensure that the construction of the new ASEAN Secretariat building, which is situated in South Jakarta, would see completion in the beginning of 2019.

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The new ASEAN Secretariat office is a grant from the South Jakarta administration to the Home Affairs Ministry. Occupying a land plot of 11,369 square meters, the building will boast 16 stories. Aside from its function as a venue for ASEAN meetings, the new building will also open to the public willing to study the history of ASEAN.

FRISKI RIANA