JAKARTA – After the success of the G20 Presidency, Indonesia is again entrusted with playing an important role in the international arena with the Chair of ASEAN. In 2023, it will be the fifth time that Indonesia has been lined up to hold ASEAN Chair, with the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth” which means that Indonesia wants to make ASEAN remain important and relevant to the ASEAN community and the world.
At the same time, Indonesia’s chairmanship provides opportunities and demonstrates Indonesia’s strategic role in strengthening ASEAN institutional capacities and capabilities, especially in forming a regional order based on multilateralism and inclusivity values.
This is because, Indonesia wants to make ASEAN a region that has an important role, for regional countries and the world. Both play a central role as the engine of peace and prosperity in the region. In addition, Indonesia also wants to make ASEAN a center for regional and world economic growth.
Some time ago, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) reviewed the readiness of a number of venues which were planned to be used at the 42nd ASEAN Summit in West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT).
“We want to ensure preparations for the May 9-11 ASEAN Summit. I see that several venues are all ready, all that’s left is a little touch up,” said President Jokowi.
The President continued, a number of venues that will be used in Labuan Bajo are good and beautiful. For this reason, the President encouraged the ASEAN Summit activities to be used as a venue for the promotion of Labuan Bajo as one of Indonesia’s super priority tourism destinations.
“The most important thing is that we also want to promote Labuan Bajo as a super priority destination. In Golo Mori it is good, we can see in Labuan Bajo it is also good. I think everything on the right looks, looks on the left everything is good and beautiful,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto said Indonesia’s chairmanship at the 2023 ASEAN Summit could be a momentum to show Indonesia’s economic resilience. It is hoped that the 2023 ASEAN Summit can boost the national economy in various cities where side events are held.
“It is also a moment to show economic resilience, so that Indonesia is worthy of becoming a destination for foreign investment. That way, it can attract foreign investors to invest,” said Airlangga.
On the other hand, National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, said his party had instructed the Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob) to be ready to carry out security with a special strategy for major events being held in Indonesia this year.
“We must prepare for security well, we must also carry out security for the ASEAN Summit properly, by looking in the mirror at the time we carried out security for the G20 Summit,” said the National Police Chief.
Main Director of the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority Executing Agency (BPOLBF) as the local committee of the ASEAN Summit, Shana Fatina revealed that there were 38 closed circuit television (CCTV) installed to secure the ASEAN Summit. The CCTV will be controlled by a command center with the person in charge, the National Police and the TNI.
“There are approximately 38 CCTVs that will be deployed and installed. This is the location where the CCTV will be installed, later it will be found out who is passing by. The National Police and TNI Headquarters will become the command center for securing the ASEAN Summit,” concluded Shana. []