Jokowi Is Not Afraid, Still Stops Exporting Raw Materials Whatever The Risks

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo reiterated that the government will continue to stop the export of mineral and coal in the form of raw materials even though the policy has received protests from various countries through the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"With any risk, one by one I will stop. We are sued by the WTO for this stop nickel, please sue. Later, stop the bauxite, stop it, someone has to sue again, please sue, it's okay with us," said Jokowi at the Galang Batang Special Economic Zone (KEK), Bintan, Riau Islands, Tuesday, January 25, quoted from the Setkab website.

In this place, Jokowi was giving a speech at the release of the first export of the 2022 smelter grade alumina produced by PT Bintan Alumina Indonesia.

“I thank you for companies as brave as this to build with investment, of course with the risks involved. We hope that all of our raw materials will be processed by ourselves in the country," said the President.

This step is deemed necessary. Jokowi said if the export of raw materials was not immediately stopped, then since ancient times until now Indonesia will become an exporting country.

"If not, since the VOC era until whenever, we will become exporters of raw materials, raw materials, not finished. Nutmeg, all chocolate. All spices. Those who enjoy those that have added value, who enjoy those who have industry," he insisted.

He again conveyed that the most important thing about downstreaming the industry is no longer exporting raw materials. Indonesia should start immediately exporting finished or semi-finished goods.

"Yesterday I just came from Muara Enim, to lay the first stone for the construction of the DME industry, Dimethyl ether, which will later be used for LPG. This is also the same, we export raw coal raw materials, raw, raw, raw, even though the name the coal could be methanol, it could be DME," he said.

"This is what the people need. Don't think about exporting raw materials, exporting raw materials, exporting nickel ore, there are none. We have to change our mindset. This must be an industrial country if we want to progress. Because the added value is there, " he said.