PM Turnbull Salute Jokowi for Preserving Indonesian Diversity

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull praised President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) who is able to lead Indonesia as an immerse diverse country.

In front of the students of the Outstanding Youth for the World (OYTW), Turnbull stated Jokowi is capable to integrate democracy, Islam, and modernization. He claimed Jokowi is one of the world's leading role models today.

"A president beside me successfully preserve diversity in his country," said Turnbull at Exhibition Hall, International Convention Center, Sydney as quoted from the press of presidential secretariat, Saturday, March 17.

Jokowi and Turnbull met the students during the sideline of ASEAN-Australia Summit 2018. "You are the future and one day you will lead the world," said the Indonesian president to the students.

Read: Jokowi Supports Australias Inclusion in ASEAN

Jokowi said Indonesia and Australia are multicultural countries, thus, young generation is expected to employ the values of tolerance and peace. "Being a diverse society is beautiful and it will be wonderful if we all respect each other," he said.

Turnbull also stated Indonesia and Australia are a country united by political values, democratic freedom, and mutual respect.

Outstanding Youth for the World is a program of Indonesian young generation to chase the opportunity in taking a role to promote and enhance Indonesia's image overseas.

Foreign Affairs Ministry established OYTW 2018 program by engaging Indonesian youths with religious achievements to conduct interfaith dialogue as to create the future leaders who maintain the world peace and unity.

The OYTW program includes Indonesia's foreign policy and politics, Indonesia-Australia partnership, and public speaking. Besides having a chance to meet Jokowi and Turnbull, the students had an interactive dialogue with Indonesian Consulate General of Sydney and visited Muslim community and schools in Sydney.

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI