Prabowo praises Jokowi's role in South Korea-backed petrochemical plant
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto honored former President Joko Widodo for his pioneering role in establishing Southeast Asia's largest petrochemical plant operated by South Korea's Lotte Chemical Indonesia in Cilegon, Banten. Prabowo invited Jokowi to the inauguration, acknowledging that the project began under Jokowi's administration through negotiations with South Korean partners. Jokowi expressed regret for not attending.
At the inauguration of PT Lotte Chemical Indonesia's petrochemical plant, the largest in Southeast Asia, President Prabowo Subianto publicly recognized the foundational role played by former President Joko Widodo. Prabowo stated that the project's initial negotiations with South Korean elites took place under Jokowi's administration, making the achievement attributable to him. Although Jokowi could not attend the ceremony in Cilegon, Banten, he conveyed his regrets via a phone call. Prabowo emphasized the importance of honoring past national leaders for their contributions to Indonesia's development. The event was attended by several key ministers including the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, the Investment and Downstreaming Minister, the Energy and Mineral Resources Minister, and the Foreign Minister. This plant reflects significant South Korean investment in Indonesia's industrial sector, underscoring bilateral cooperation and Jokowi's efforts in boosting foreign direct investment, especially in petrochemical industries supported by Korean firms like Lotte Chemical.
