Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated the Nusantara Student Dormitory (AMN) in the City of Surabaya, East Java, Tuesday (29/11/2022). The inauguration of AMN Surabaya marked the emergence of a new era of diversity within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.
“By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim , this afternoon I inaugurated the Archipelago Student Dormitory in Surabaya, East Java Province as well as the declaration of the construction of the Archipelago Student Dormitory in Makassar and Manado,” said the President during the inauguration.
In his remarks, the President said that the first proposal regarding AMN came from 61 Papuan leaders who at that time came to the State Palace.
Furthermore, President Jokowi said that Indonesia has 714 different tribes. This means that diversity is a strength, not a weakness.
“Indonesia’s diversity is a strength, not a weakness. If we can be compact, harmonious, and united. Therefore, I immediately conveyed and agreed to this proposal regarding AMN , said Jokowi.
Accompanied by the Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Budi Gunawan, Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Nadiem Anwar Makarim, Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas , Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono , and Acting Governor of East Java Emil Dardak, President Jokowi inaugurated AMN Surabaya which was marked by the signing of the inauguration inscription and pressing the siren button .
During the inauguration ceremony, President Jokowi also conducted a connected video conference at the location where the AMN development was announced in Makassar City and Minahasa Regency.
AMN will gradually be built in 6 (six) locations, namely East Java (Surabaya City and Malang City), DI Yogyakarta (Bantul), DKI Jakarta, South Sulawesi (Makassar City), and North Sulawesi (Minahasa Regency). AMN which has completed its construction is in Surabaya City (May 2022), and will be further built in Makassar City (2023), and North Sulawesi/District. Minahasa (year 2024).
The inauguration procession was continued with an inspection of the AMN Surabaya Building, including going to the Mural Park and rooms in the AMN Building where the students were active, and closed by President Jokowi planting a Baobab tree symbolically.
