2 Hours Meeting Prabowo, Jonan Affirms Not To Discuss Debt

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto summoned the former Minister of Transportation (Menhub) and former President Director of KAI, Ignasius Jonan, to the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday 3 November. The meeting lasted for about two hours.

Jonan revealed that during the meeting he discussed and was asked to convey his views by President Prabowo regarding the implementation of a number of government programs. "We did ask for time to share. As citizens, we discussed the programs he had been running so far," Jonan told reporters.

According to Jonan, the meeting also discussed several superior government programs, such as free nutritious food (MBG), Merah Putih village/kelurahan cooperatives (Kopdes/Kopkel Merah Putih), and public schools. He assessed that these programs had a positive impact on small communities and played an important role in equitable national economy.

"Personal programs, such as MBG, the Red and White Kopdes, and people's schools have good economic multiplier effects for the community," he explained.

In addition, Jonan also praised President Prabowo's work in foreign diplomacy and the development of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN). "We also share about his active role in foreign diplomacy and the development of SOEs for the benefit of the nation," he said.

When asked about the polemic of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Rail (KCJB) project (KCJB), Jonan emphasized that the issue was not discussed at all. "No, I didn't discuss the high-speed train. I didn't ask for input about it," said Jonan.

He added that the Rights project was running well operationally. He believes President Prabowo has his own policy to handle the project financing affairs. Whoosh operationally is good. When it comes to management and debt, maybe he can be asked directly, it was not discussed," he said.

Jonan declined to comment further on the issue of trustsh's debt, arguing that he had retired from the transportation sector. "I'm retired, so I won't have any opinion on that. It was just a discussion," he said.

However, Jonan admitted that he was ready to help President Prabowo if he received an assignment. However, until now he has not received any offers. "As a citizen, if asked to work for the state, you must be ready, if you can afford it. However, there was no offer, just a discussion," he concluded.