Denying Kunker In The Aftermath Of Ganjar's Campaign, Jokowi: My Schedule Was Designed 3 Months Ago

President Joko Widodo delivered a press statement after attending the Inauguration of the Opening of MSME Expo (rt) Brillianpreneur 2023 at the Jakarta Convention Center, Thursday (7/12/2023). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) denied that his working visit schedule to East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and Papua followed the campaign activities for presidential candidate number 3 Ganjar Pranowo.

"Yes, no, it's not like that. The schedule for the presidential visit was designed three months earlier and there must be a purpose," said Jokowi when met after attending the Inauguration of the 2023 MSME Expo Brillianpreneur Opening at the Jakarta Convention Center, quoted by ANTARA Thursday, December 7.

He gave an example, his visit to Kupang, NTT, on Wednesday, December 6, was to inaugurate the Ben Mboi Central General Hospital (RSUP) which was built with a budget of IDR 420 billion.

It's a huge hospital. Usually, the ministry has been queuing for the previous three months (asking for a schedule) 'Sir, please inaugurate it',' said Jokowi.

In addition to the inauguration of the hospital, President Jokowi also inaugurated the Church of Christ, King of the Kupang Cathedral, which he hopes can be a space for dialogue to strengthen national unity and integrity.

"It's been a long time (the plan). It wasn't a day or two ago leaving, but it was planned a long time ago," he said.

Previously, presidential candidate number 3 Ganjar Pranowo was present in Kupang, NTT to campaign in the context of the 2024 General Election on December 2, 2023. Meanwhile, President Jokowi's working visit in the same region took place on December 5, 2023.

Previously, Ganjar was also present in Sorong, South Papua, on November 20, 2023. Two days later, Jokowi visited Sorong on November 22, 2023.