Anies Baswedan Takes Lesson from President Cup Incident

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said that he would take a lesson from the incident when he was prevented by a presidential guard from joining President Joko Widodo during the 2018 President Cup trophy submission at Senayan Sport Stadium, Jakarta, on Saturday.

"I do not want to comment much about it. The President`s Cup Steering Committee chairman has given explanations in detail about what happened," Baswedan said at the Jakarta City Hall on Tuesday.

Read also: Anies Baswedan Intercepted by Paspampres, State Palace Responses

He stated that he wanted to focus on the development. There will be a big event, namely the Asian Games. There will be a lot of officials from various countries. "We should learn a lesson from the incident," he added.

"This means that we have to really prepare the protocol well, so that our respect for the heads of state and heads of government will be maintained," Baswedan noted.

The explanation for the incident has been given by the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the 2018 President`s Cup, Maruarar Sirait, he remarked.

"Now, we should learn a lesson from the incident and make sure the Asian Games (in Aug) would be well arranged," Baswedan explained.

This is related to the apology offered by Sirait, who acknowledged that he had made a mistake during presentation of the 2018 President`s Cup because he did not involve Baswedan.

"I do not really understand the protocol. I should have asked Baswedan to receive the prize, along with Persija (Jakarta Soccer team). I hope all parties would not blame anyone, but me," he revealed.

Earlier, Baswedan congratulated Persija for emerging as the champion of the 2018 President`s Cup tournament after crushing Bali United 3-0 on Saturday evening.

Read also: Anies Baswedan Comments on Paspampres Interception in GBK

"Tonight, President`s Cup 2018 would be over. I thank President Joko Widodo for this big event and also the organizing committee for the smooth competition. We also thank Bali United for the exciting final match," Baswedan wrote on his Facebook page.

The governor thanked Persija Jakarta, in particular, for achieving the victory that has made its fans, Jakmania, and all of Jakartans proud and happy.

The final match of the 2018 President Cup, held at Bung Karno sports stadium, was watched by Widodo and several other high-ranking officials seating at the stadium`s VIP tribune. 

Among the top officials were Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto, Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi, Social Affairs Minister Idrus Marhan, National Defense Forces Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, House Speaker Bambang Soesatyo, Chairman of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) Oesman Sapta Odang, Deputy Chairman of the People`s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Hidayat Nurwahid, and member of the President`s Advisory Board Agum Gumelar.

ANTARA