President Widodo Observes Military Exercise In Natuna Island

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo departed for Tanjung Datuk in Natuna Island, Riau Islands Province, on Friday to witness the Indonesian Army Quick Response Team's military exercise.

Boarding a presidential aircraft, the head of state departed from the Halim Perdana Kusuma Air Base, East Jakarta, for Natuna Island's Raden Sadjad Base.

From the air base, President Widodo and his entourage reached the Tanjung Datuk area aboard an Indonesian Air Force's Super Puma helicopter.

Two days prior to his arrival, an accident had occurred in which four soldiers of the army quick response unit were killed while eight others were injured.

The accident was caused due to the malfunctioning of a Chinese-made cannon used during their second round of military exercises.

After witnessing the military exercise, the president returned to Jakarta in the afternoon.

Among members of President Widodo's entourage were Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Presidential Military Secretary Air Vice Marshall Trisno Hendradi. (WDY)