Jakarta, (ANTARA News) - Minister of Public Works and Housing Basuki Hadimuljono has received two golden awards of the Indonesian Journalists Association's Sports Section (SIWO PWI).

The first award was given to him as part of one of the ministries that support the success of the 2018 Asian Games and Asian Para Games.

"The awards given to me was a surprise," Hadimuljono said in a statement released by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing in Jakarta on Saturday.

The second award was given to Hadimuljono in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Indonesian Paddle Sports Association (PODSI) for the achievement of men's rowing team in the 2018 Asian Games. Indonesia`s team won one gold medal in the multisports event.

The 2019 Center for Indonesian Journalists Association (SIWO PWI) award event was held in the 2019 National Press Day series held at the Grahadi Building in Surabaya, East Java, on Friday (Feb 8) night.

The awards were given to a number of high-ranking ministers/state officials, regional heads, athletes, coaches, media, and figures.

Hadimuljono noted that in the implementation of the 2018 Asian Games and Asian Para Games, the construction of venues and non-venues by his ministry were the tasks given by President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

He stated that, in general, the time needed to prepare the Asian Games facilities and infrastructure was four years, but Indonesia could finish it in less than four years.

"The preparation of facilities and infrastructure was carried out in a relatively shorter time, which was less than two years. This has made the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) very much appreciate Indonesia," he added.

In addition, he noted that the venues built met all of international standards, and some of them were even recognized as the best, such as the lighting of the GBK Main Stadium.

In supporting the 2018 Asian Games, the government built and revitalized as many as 79 venues, consisting of 33 venues carried out directly by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, 27 venues by the Regional Governments of Jakarta, West Java, and South Sumatra, and 19 venues by Inasgoc.

Next to the venue, the ministry was also tasked with building 14 supporting facilities (non-venues), including Wisma Kemayoran and Jakabaring Athletes, as well as structuring the GBK and Jakabaring complex areas. In carrying out these projects, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing always considers the aspects of the strength, tidiness, comfort, and safety of buildings.

The budget used to support the infrastructure of the 2018 Asian Games and the Asian Para Games totaled Rp7.4 trillion.

Reporting by M Razi Rahman, Eliswan A

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2019