"This morning, I ordered the TNI commander and the Polri chief, so that the construction can be started immediately and be assisted in terms of security, so that we can resolve all existing problems properly," he stated.
Jokowi made the statement in his remarks at the inauguration of the operation of the Bakti 4G BTS signal and integration of the Republic of Indonesia Satellite-1 (SATRIA-1) in Talaud Islands District, North Sulawesi, on Thursday, which was monitored online from Jakarta.
President Jokowi had received a report from Communication and Informatics Minister Budi Arie Setiadi that so far, the 4G BTS construction project had been completed in 4,990 locations across Indonesia.
However, construction in the other 630 locations, especially in Papua, is hampered by problems related to the terrain and security.
"Indeed, the terrain is very difficult, and the security must be assisted," he stressed.
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To this end, Jokowi instructed the TNI commander and Polri chief to oversee the project's security aspect.
The president also said Minister Setiadi had promised that the BTS construction project in Papua would be completed in the first semester of 2024.
On that occasion, the president inaugurated the operation of the Bakti 4G BTS signal and internet access in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) villages as well as the operation and integration of the SATRIA-1 satellite in Talaud Islands District, North Sulawesi.
He also greeted people that benefitted from the operation of the 4G BTS signal in various Indonesian regions that attended Thursday's event virtually.
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Translator: Rangga Pandu, Raka Adji
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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