Latest news with #PresidentialCommunicationOffice
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Former presidents, VPs expected at Prabowo's state addresses
Head of the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Hasan Nasbi delivering statements regarding the commemoration of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day at the PCO Headquarters, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (August 14, 2025). - Photo: Antara JAKARTA: (Bernama-Antara) The government has invited all living former presidents and vice presidents of Indonesia to attend President Prabowo Subianto's annual state addresses at the Parliamentary Complex on Friday (Aug 15), the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) announced. "Regarding the list of figures expected to attend the president's speeches tomorrow, we can confirm that all presidents and vice presidents who have served Indonesia have been invited," PCO Head Hasan Nasbi told the press in Jakarta on Thursday, reported Antara news agency. This means the government is expecting the attendance of Fifth President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Sixth President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and Seventh President Joko Widodo. Among the past vice presidents anticipated to join are Sixth Vice President Try Sutrisno, Tenth and Twelfth Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Eleventh Vice President Boediono, and Thirteenth Vice President Ma'ruf Amin. "We hope tomorrow's event will be a moment to reinforce national unity and harmony, as well as bring together elite politicians. Therefore, we expect all former presidents and vice presidents to attend the state addresses," he said. He noted that President Prabowo is scheduled to deliver two state addresses at the Parliamentary Complex starting at 9 am local time. The first, before the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), will outline the government's performance in its first 300 days in office. The second, during a plenary session of the House of Representatives (DPR) at 2:30 pm, will present the 2026 Draft State Budget (RAPBN). Nasbi then highlighted a letter issued by State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi on August 12, which encourages all government institutions, companies, and residents to follow the two addresses live through various available channels. - Bernama-Antara
The Star
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Indonesia may install permanent stairlift at Borobudur Temple: Minister
JAKARTA: The Indonesian government is still finalising a plan to install a permanent stairlift at Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java, to facilitate visitors with special needs to access the World Heritage Site, Culture Minister Fadli Zon said on Thursday (June 5). A stairlift is a device designed to bring people up and down a stairway. A temporary stairlift was installed ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit on May 29, which caused a heated debate in Indonesia. 'It was just a trial, so actually it has been planned for quite some time,' Fadli said on Thursday, as quoted by Antara news agency. 'This is part of an adaptation for inclusivity especially for those who need it, the seniors. There are bhikkhu [monks], senior visitors or disabled people.' Fadli said the stairlift would be permanent, adding that the temporary stairlift would be dismantled and replaced with a better structure. 'We will communicate the needs with those who have the expertise to probably make a tailor-made stairlift,' he said. 'The stairlift will not be destructive because it [would] just [be] attached to the railings.' Previously, the government insisted the stairlift was installed based on a request from the French government so that Macron could ascend Borobudur more quickly and easily. Despite all the preparations, Macron opted to ascend Borobudur on foot, reported on May 29. 'Borobudur Temple is about as high as a 12-storey building and the French president had limited time in his state visit,' Presidential Communication Office head Hasan Nasbi said on May 26, ahead of Macron's visit. However, Hasan said there were then suggestions for the stairlift to be made permanent at the temple. 'Initially the stairlift was temporary but then there were suggestions from several groups, such as the Buddhist community and cultural observers, for the stairlift to be made permanent,' he said on May 28, as quoted by Hasan said the suggestion would make the temple from the 8th century more inclusive, adding that several other World Heritage Sites already provided access for visitors with special needs. 'There is a lift at the Acropolis in Athens as well as at several historical sites in Vietnam,' he said. However, Hasan said the final decision would lie with the related ministry, the Cultural Heritage Council and Borobudur Temple area management. Whether the stairlift would be temporary or permanent would be decided through an official meeting and after considerations by the stakeholders. The case became viral after a video was widely circulated on social media, such as Facebook and X, showing the installation of metal plates and wooden planks on Borobudur Temple's stairs to make way for the lift. Netizens highlighted the activities, saying the stairlift was installed to allow Prabowo to reach the summit, without realising that Prabowo was scheduled to accompany Macron in a visit to the world's largest Buddhist temple. Other netizens, however, welcomed the installation of such mobility facilities, saying other World Heritage Sites had already installed lifts, escalators or ramps to allow disabled people in wheelchairs to also visit and enjoy the sites as an inclusivity drive. Another video shows similar mobility facilities already installed at the Acropolis in Athens, the Coliseum in Rome and the Forbidden City in Beijing. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
