President Leaves for North Sumatra to Visit Lake Toba

Jakarta (Antara Bali)- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) left for North Sumatra on Tuesday morning to visit Lake Toba's tourism area and inspect the infrastructure projects.

The presidential aircraft departed from the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, eastern Jakarta, at around 8:35 a.m. local time.

The presidential entourage included State Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno.

At the Lake Toba resort, Jokowi will chair a meeting on Lake Toba's development to be attended by Tourism and Culture Minister Arief Yahya, the acting governor of North Sumatra, and district heads of the regions located around the lake.

From North Sumatra, Jokowi will head to the provinces of Aceh and South Sumatra as part of his three-day trip.

Binjai Mayor Muhammad Idaham had earlier remarked that the head of state would inspect the Binjai-Medan toll road and Medan-Aceh railway construction projects.

In the meantime, Ari Dwipayana of the presidential communication team noted that Lake Toba was one of the 10 priority tourist destinations along with Borobudur, Mandalika, Labuhan Bajo, Bromo-Tengger-Semeru, Seribu (One Thousand) Islands, Wakatobi, Tanjung Lesung, Morotai, and Tanjung Kelayang.

During a limited cabinet meeting on February 2, President Jokowi instructed the ministers to develop connectivity and accessibility in and to the Lake Toba tourism area by constructing or renovating airports, roads, and seaports.

"I also emphasize the need to make preparations to develop Lake Toba as a brand that offers services of international standards and arts and cultural attractions along with beautiful choreography, good designs, and class," the president stated. (WDY)