"Information on what has already been constructed, which one is still on progress, or will be done should be provided to the public. We want to give information as it is," the president stated at the opening of the 36th congress of the Indonesian Christian Students Movement here on Friday.
The three-minute public service advertisement titled "2 musim, 65 bendungan," or 2 seasons, 65 dams, screened in some cinemas is produced by the Ministry of Communication and Informatics.
It showcases the government`s success in building 65 dams across the country that allow farmers to have two harvesting seasons in a year.
Some people claim that the advertisement has become part of Jokowi's campaign for the 2019 presidential election.
Responding to the claim, Jokowi emphasized that it was the ministry's task to serve as the government's public relations unit.
"It is the ministry's task, as stipulated in the law that we have to inform the public on what project has been completed or is in progress or what has been done by the government," the president noted.
He likened the task to the information minister in the past.
"In the past, we had an information minister to inform (the public). We should not be tight-lipped like this," he stated and pressed his lips tightly together.
In fact, the ministry has produced similar public service advertisements since the past three to four years.
"We have made this since the past three or four years. We convey this via YouTube and television. It has been the ministry`s task, as stipulated by the law. You can see them," he remarked.
Law No. 39 of 2008 on State Ministry stipulated that the Ministry of Communication and Informatics will serve as the government's public relations team.
Reporting by Hanni Sofia
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
