President Joko Widodo Visits Batola

Marabahan, South Kalimantan (AntaranwesKalsel) - President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) visited Barito Kuala (Batola) District, South Kalimantan, on Friday (15/9) afternoon.

The presence of the 7th President to stay in touch with the Muhammadiyah and academician of Muhammadiyah University of Banjarmasin at Jalan Gubernur H Syarkawi (North Ring Road), Alalak Sub-district, Batola.

The president coming to the University of Muhammadiyah was his last event of his visit in South Kalimantan.

Previously in the morning at about 10.00, the President opened the tenth Festival of Saleh Children of Indonesia (FASI) at Sabilal Muhtadin Grand Mosque followed by Friday Prayer.

After lunch at Sari Patin Restaurant, Jokowi continued his activities at Sultan Suriansyah Building, Kayutangi, Banjarmasin, to distribute the land certificates.

After that, President Joko Widodo visited Banjarmasin Mayor Office to hand over Indonesia Smart Card (KIP) and Family Hope Program (PKH).

Jokowi arrived at the University of Muhammadiyah Campus, which is now being under construction, at around 16.30 pm.

President, who was accompanied by Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, South Kalimantan Governor H Sahbirin Noor, and a number of presidential staff was greeted by Batola Regent H Hasanuddin Murad, the District's Secretary H Supriyono, Head of Alalak Sub-district Haris Isroyani, and the campus management.

President Jokowi promised to help build two dormitories for students with a fairly permanent and representative three-story building at a cost between Rp12 billion to Rp14 billion per dorm.

"If the land is ready, God willing next year we can start and next year again if urgent we add more," he said.

The President promised next month to send a team to look at the field conditions and asked proposals to be prepared and permission from the regent and governor to be submitted to the minister to get to his hands.

It is no less important, continued the president, the need for character education for the people in order to welcome the rapid global changes, both technology and information so that Indonesia is not left too far with other nations.

With character education, he said, the generation is expected to compete and not be affected by negative things from outside. But on the contrary, they can affect the market, economy, global politics, regionally and nationally.