The Straits Times recently conducted an interview with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Bogor Palace, ahead of his official visit to Singapore (July 28 - July 29) tomorrow.
President Jokowi highlighted the "excellent" bilateral relations between Singapore and Indonesia, adding that Singapore is Indonesia's number one investor.
From the video that was published on July 27, it is clear that President Jokowi is probably more comfortable in Bahasa Indonesia.
In the short one-minute video message, he appeared ill at ease as he looked down and peeked at his notes five times.
While President Jokowi is perhaps game to give this "Video pitch to Singaporean investors by Indonesia President" a go, what was ST thinking when they uploaded such a video?
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If President Jokowi is clearly uncomfortable communicating in English, why can't The Straits Times just re-film the video in Bahasa Indonesia? They can translate his message in English in the video subtitles.
And to rub salt in his wounds, the journalist continued to probe him, asking him "what is your message to investors in Singapore".
This time, the kindly President gave a wide smile and said "come and invest in Indonesia" before waving off further requests from the journalist.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is The Straits Times Asian of the Year 2014. 2013's award was shared by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and China's President Xi Jinping and the 2012 award went to Myanmar's Thein Sein.
Maybe The Straits Times can give President Jokowi its Asian of the Year 2015 award as a form of apology.
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