SBY praises Jokowi’s first-day actions

Bagus BT Saragih, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | National | Wed, October 17 2012, 9:31 PM

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed appreciation to the newly-elected Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s decision to visit Jakarta’s slum areas, according to presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha.

Yudhoyono met with Jokowi when he opened the 2012 Indonesia Trade Expo at the Jakarta International Expo, Kemayoran, Cental Jakarta, on Wednesday.

“The President said to Jokowi that he wanted Jakarta to be cleaner. Hence, he supported Jokowi’s efforts to visit the kampungs in order to directly observe what problems this city is facing,” Julian said.

Yudhoyono had also ordered relevant ministers and institutions to help Jakarta’s governor accomplish his programs, he added. (swd)