Headline:
Indonesia Awards Former President Joko Widodo a Luxurious Retirement Home
Subhead:
President Jokowi selects location, construction begins, and details of the retirement home given to ex-leaders by law.
Article:
In a time-honored tradition, Indonesia has awarded former President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) a retirement home as he steps down from his presidential duties. The two-story house, located on a 12,000-meter-square plot in Blulukan, Karanganyar, Central Java, was chosen by Jokowi himself, marking the culmination of a long-standing perk for former presidents in Indonesia.
The provision of a retirement home for former presidents and vice presidents is enshrined in the Indonesian Constitution (UU Nomor 7/1978), which states that they are entitled to a suitable residence and a state-owned vehicle with a driver upon completion of their term. The Presidency Regulation (Perpres) Nomor 52/2014 further details that each president can only receive one such house, regardless of the number of terms served.
Jokowi’s retirement home is the latest in a series of homes given to former Indonesian presidents. Previous recipients include former President B.J. Habibie, who received a home in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, and Megawati Soekarnoputri, who was given a residence in Menteng, Central Jakarta.
The Indonesian government has spared no expense in providing for Jokowi’s retirement needs. The 12,000-square-meter plot, initially 9,000 meters square, was expanded by 3,000 meters square to accommodate a single remaining plot, according to Sekretaris Kementerian Sekretariat Negara, Setya Utama. The total cost, which included land acquisition and construction, amounted to IDR 5 billion in Bea Perolehan Hak Atas Tanah dan Bangunan (BPHTB) fees alone, as revealed by the then-Bupati of Karanganyar, Juliyatmono.
The construction of Jokowi’s retirement home is being handled by PT Tunas Jaya Sanur, a prominent Bali-based construction company with a long track record of building high-profile projects. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in July 2024, although Jokowi was absent and represented by a family member.
Despite the grandeur of the retirement home, it is not just a place for Jokowi to live out his remaining years. Upon his death, the house can be bequeathed to his heirs, ensuring a lasting legacy for the Jokowi family.
As of October 2024, the construction of Jokowi’s retirement home is ongoing, with progress updates indicating that the project is on track for completion by December of that year.
In the meantime, Indonesia continues to uphold the tradition of providing for its former leaders, ensuring they enjoy a comfortable and dignified retirement after their years of service to the nation.
Tags: Joko Widodo, Indonesian Presidency, Retirement Home, State Benefits, Indonesian Politics
