Antara
Lhokseumawe (ANTARA) -
Lhokseumawe (ANTARA) - Presidential candidate number 01 Joko Widodo (Jokowi) promised to fight for extending the special autonomy fund received by Aceh Province if he were to be re-elected president.

"Do not ask again about the special autonomy fund. All must be sure, as I will fight for it again," Jokowi remarked on the sidelines of an open campaign centered at Lido Graha Hotel, Lhokseumawe, on Tuesday.

Jokowi expressed his high commitment to advancing Aceh Province, as several life memories of his were attached to the area, especially Lhokseumawe, where he had lived for seven months.

"I have a brief experience of living for around three years, including in Bener Meriah," he remarked.

In accordance with Law Number 11 of 2006 concerning Aceh Governance (LoGA) Special Autonomy Fund, the funds are valid for a period of 20 years, with the amount being equivalent to two percent of the ceiling of the National General Allocation Fund for the first year up to the 15th, while for the 16th year up to the 20th year, the amount is equal to one percent of the ceiling of the National General Allocation Fund.

He noted that the signing of the Arun Special Economic Zone (KEK) offered a good opportunity to boost the economic growth and to open employment opportunities for the community.

"I have heard from the district head of North Aceh and the mayor of Lhokseumawe that several procedures must be corrected and this will be followed up immediately, so that their presence can really improve Aceh's economy and the people's welfare," he remarked.

He said the presence of the Arun SEZ will increase investment in the Land of Rencong and open employment opportunities to the widest possible population of some five million people in the province.

Hence, he expressed hope that all Acehnese people would provide support and choose the number one pair on April 17, 2019.

During the open campaign in Indonesia's westernmost province, Jokowi was accompanied by his wife Iriana, National Campaign Team Chairperson Erick Thohir, and Agrarian and Spatial Planning Minister Sofyan Djalil. The open campaign was also attended by the representatives of political parties which support the Joko Widodo-Ma'ruf Amin pair, volunteers, and also religious scholars.

Chairperson of the Jokowi-Ma'ruf Joint Secretariat of Aceh Province Kamaruddin Abubakar had earlier urged Jokowi to extend the special autonomy fund for Aceh.



Translator: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2019