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Jokowi’s ‘bamboo bike diplomacy’ gets rave reviews from Australian PM, activists
Australian officials say the premier was “deeply touched” by President Jokowi’s gift of a Spedagi bamboo bicycle.
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (right) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) ride bamboo bicycles at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java, on Monday. (AFP/Laily Rachev)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s gift of a locally made bamboo bicycle to visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has struck a chord with the growing sustainability movement in Indonesia, especially those who espouse the benefits of the sturdy, fast-growing plant.
Albanese enjoyed what he described as a “heartfelt” welcome at the start of his first official visit to Indonesia as prime minister, which was marked by a ride through the lush grounds of Bogor Palace in West Java alongside President Jokowi. At the end of their ride, Jokowi offered the bicycle to his guest as a gift.
Australian officials have said the premier was “deeply touched” by the President’s generosity, while throngs of Australians and Indonesians reacted on social media.
But the stars of the show may have been the bamboo bicycles themselves.
The Environmental Bamboo Foundation (YBL) expressed its appreciation for Jokowi’s “bamboo bike diplomacy”. The ride with Albanese had shown Jokowi’s support for bamboo artisans and grassroots industries, the nonprofit organization said in a statement on Monday.
“The President started bamboo bike diplomacy. By using it as a diplomatic tool, his support for community-based bamboo industries and local Indonesian products shines through,” said Monica Tanuhandaru, the foundation’s executive director.
Read also: Jokowi, Albanese herald ‘heartfelt’ start to deepening ties
