Jokowi Treats Minister Durian Medan To Celebrate SEA Games Football Gold

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (left) seemed to be talking with the Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo celebrated the gold medal in Cambodia's 2023 SEA Games men's soccer by treating ministers and their subordinates to enjoy durian in Medan, North Sumatra, Tuesday, May 16 evening.

This was revealed from the upload of the official YouTube channel of the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday, May 17, which showed President Jokowi and his staff enjoying durian in Si Bolang Durian.

Appearing to accompany President Jokowi in the small celebration were Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Deputy Governor of North Sumatra Musa Rajekshah, and members of the Presidential Security Forces (Paspampres).

"This afternoon, I made an appointment, the ministers with the deputy governor and others, if they win, I will kill you at the Bolang to eat durian together. So, because they won, yes, they had to kill me because the appointment was like that," Jokowi said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, May 16.

The video also begins with a scene, where President Jokowi watches together with his eldest son who is also the Mayor of Surakarta Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and the Paspamres ranks are watching the final of the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games men's soccer match between Indonesia and Thailand.

The President seemed to be celebrating Beckham Putra's goal against Thailand, completing a 5-2 victory for Indonesia which locked the gold medal.

The President said that he was also fooled, the scene when the Indonesian coach, Indra Sjafri, prostrated in gratitude and collaborated at the end of the second half thought the match was over.

"I was wrong too, I greeted each other, congratulated each other, it turned out to be still playing and goals. Shocked too," said the President.

The President also ensured that he would think of a prize that deserves to be given as a bonus for the Indonesian team for its achievements at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.

Moreover, Indonesia quenched its thirst for the gold medal in men's soccer at the SEA Games which had previously been going on for 32 years.

"The prize will be considered later. However, we will give it later. Because this is really awaited by all Indonesian people, it has been 32 years," said Jokowi.

Of course, the President will not only prepare bonuses for the men's soccer team because the Indonesian contingent has also succeeded in closing the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia with a total of 87 gold medals.

This achievement exceeded the target of 60 gold previously set by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, as well as the target of 69 gold that President Jokowi entrusted during the release of the contingent.