Jakarta –
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan shared his experience during a visit to Saudi Arabia. During his visit to King Salman’s country, Luhut admitted that he was annoyed that he was belittled by Saudi Arabia’s National Security Advisor.
The agenda for the visit was to meet with the Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS). However, before meeting Prince Mohammed, Luhut met with the National Security Advisor.
“I felt his tone towards me, like, how about you. ‘You’re just an exporter of labor’, but in the end I was annoyed, I took my iPad and showed me these numbers,” said Luhut, quoted from the YouTube channel for the National Proud of Man-made Movement event. Indonesia LAGAWIFEST 2022 in Lampung, Thursday (23/6/2022).
Luhut explained that the Saudi Arabian National Security Advisor who had underestimated changed his attitude when he showed data on Indonesia’s achievements. Some of them are the unemployment rate which has fallen to, and Indonesia as the highest exporting country in the world.
Luhut acknowledged that Saudi Arabia’s economy is still above Indonesia’s. However, Indonesia’s position is no worse than other countries.
While showing data on Indonesia’s achievements, people who had underestimated Luhut seemed to show their appreciation. Luhut added that he was called “hello brother” when he came to MbS’s office.
“I say this, you are indeed better, but we are not under many countries,” said Luhut firmly.
Luhut said that Indonesia did not come to ask for money. According to him, if it comes with money, it must come with added value.
On the same occasion, Luhut said that the Indonesian economy was still one of the best in the world. In the midst of global economic pressures, Indonesia managed to control inflation and the rupiah currency.
(hns / hns)
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