Jokowi Appears In Bali, Luhut Says Health Condition Improving

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, July 3 (Bernama) -- Amid speculation surrounding his health, former Indonesian President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, held an informal meeting with National Economic Council Chairman Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, who was in Bali on Tuesday for an official event.

Luhut said the meeting, which lasted over an hour and included both of their wives, took place in a warm atmosphere, with discussions ranging from memories of their time in office to family updates.

“They both shared that recent medical examinations showed positive developments in their health. It was a relief to hear this directly,” Luhut said in an Instagram post on Wednesday.

According to him, although not yet fully recovered, Jokowi remains in high spirits and is still able to spend time playing with his grandchildren.

During the meeting, Jokowi also conveyed his regards to President Prabowo Subianto as a gesture of appreciation for his leadership of the country and passed on Prabowo’s greetings in return.

“Two leaders, two generations, both of whom should be emulated for prioritising national ethics,” said Luhut.

He also expressed sadness that certain quarters seemed to have forgotten Jokowi’s contributions, noting that honouring former leaders is part of the nation's cultural values — a principle often emphasised by Prabowo.

“From the meeting, I gained an important impression that despite his calm demeanour, we know that he (Jokowi) remains a leader who loves his country in a peaceful, sincere, and consistent way,” he added.

Before parting, Luhut and his wife prayed for Jokowi’s swift recovery and hoped he would soon resume his usual activities.

Local media had earlier reported noticeable changes in Jokowi’s appearance, including darker skin tone and several white spots.

The former president’s aide clarified that Jokowi was only experiencing a common skin allergy and inflammation that affected his complexion following his attendance at Pope Francis’s funeral in the Vatican in April, where he served as Indonesia’s special envoy.

Luhut is a prominent senior political figure who held several portfolios in Jokowi’s cabinet, including as Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment.

--BERNAMA