REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo failed to attend the launch of the e-Sports Department of the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI). The president had planned to attend the event, which was set to begin at 7:00 p.m., but at around 7:30 p.m., the master of ceremonies said that President Jokowi had canceled.
"With great regret, President Jokowi could not be present with us, but we thank him for his support," PKPI Chairman Diaz Hendropriyono said on the Pallas Jakarta on Tuesday.
There were a number of Working Cabinet ministers present such as Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, Creative Agency (Bekraf) Triawan Munaf, Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Archandra Tahar, Chair of National Campaign Team (TKN) presidential-vice presidential candidate pair 01 Erick Tohir, and former PKPI Chairperson, who is also Diaz's father, AM Hendropriyono.
In addition to them, there were around three hundred PKPI supporters who gathered, wearing the party's red clothes. PKPI is known to be the party supporting presidential and vice presidential candidate number 01 namely incumbent President Joko Widodo-KH Ma'ruf Amin.
"We are forming a new department, electronic or e-sports department; PKPI is the only party that has an e-sports department," Diaz said in his speech.
According to Diaz, his party is "the party of the present day".
"PKPI is not a party for young people because there are many administrators who are old too; we are a party with a young spirit," added Diaz.
Diaz admitted that PKPI supports "e-sports" because he believed e-sports would contribute to the world economy. The growth of "e-sports" is quite high at 8 percent and in Indonesia there are 43.7 million "gamers".
"An hour ago, I was told by the President that he would be unable to attend the event and I am honored to represent the president," Head of Bekraf Munaf gave a speech representing President Jokowi.
He said that the agency he led helped build a number of "games" that manifested into "e-sports". "Happy birthday, Mas Bro (Diaz Hendropriyono)," Triawan said, ending his speech.
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