Jokowi's Anger After Knowing Army-Police Clothes To Tractors Turns Out To Be Imported Products: What Is This?!

President Joko Widodo planted corn with farmers in Jeneponto Regency, South Sulawesi, 23 November 2021 (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Muchlis Jr)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo could not contain his annoyance after learning about the details of the procurement of goods by a number of ministries and institutions. Apparently, many of the procurements carried out were purchased from abroad or imported.

This was stated by Jokowi when giving a briefing at the Proudly Made Indonesia Affirmation Action event in Bali.

Jokowi highlighted various purchases, ranging from CCTV procurement to the National Armed Forces (TNI)-National Police (Polri) uniforms and shoes. In fact, according to Jokowi, a lot of domestic production can be reached for this procurement.

"We buy imported CCTV, some domestically can produce it. What is this? Do you think we are not a developed country? Just buy imported CCTV. We can buy military and police uniforms and shoes from outside. We can produce it everywhere. Don't continue," said Jokowi, as shown on the Presidential Secretariat's Youtube video, Friday, March 25.

Jokowi also highlighted the procurement of goods at the Ministry of Health such as beds in various government-owned hospitals. In fact, said Jokowi, there are many manufacturers of medical devices in Bekasi, Tangerang and Yogyakarta.

"Medical equipment, beds for hospitals. I saw production in Yogya, Bekasi, Tangerang, (even) buying imports. Do you want to continue? Please. I will announce later if I am irritated. This is an imported regional hospital, the Ministry Imported health. Don't read it later. Because now it's very easy, the details, I can monitor," said Jokowi.

Not enough to stop there, Jokowi also sprayed the Ministry of Agriculture. Where, equipment such as machinery and equipment to tractors used in food estates are also imported.

"Alsintan, Minister of Agriculture, what, tractors like that, not just imported hi-tech. I'm annoyed. Yesterday from Atambua planted corn, I saw tractors, machinery, I saw (the equipment). It's not allowed (imported) Mr. Minister, I can't," explained Jokowi.

Furthermore, Jokowi highlighted procurement at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek). Where, the purchase of the equipment also turned out to be from abroad.

"Pencils, paper, I check, import. Pens (also imported). What is this? Sometimes I think, don't we understand this? Could it be that we don't work on details, so we don't understand that the goods purchased are imported goods. Books write imports," said Jokowi.

Jokowi also forbade his staff to continue to procure imported goods and buy domestic products. Because, if imports continue, budget investment and job creation will run abroad.

"Don't continue this! Stop! We all jump. If we buy all domestic products, our economic growth will jump," he added.