Proud Of The Stability Of The National Economy, Jokowi Said 96 Countries Are Still IMF Patients

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). (Twitter Cabinet Secretariat)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) reminded that the global situation is still hit by difficulties and uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the head of state, the world economy has not yet appeared to grow again, including evidenced by the fact that 96 countries have become "patients" of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

"In the past 1997-1998, there were no 10 countries that were IMF patients, all of them were shaking, our government collapsed at that time. Currently 96 countries are IMF patients," he said while attending the Jokowi Undercurrent DPP National Working Meeting (Rakernas) in Bogor, West Java, Saturday, July 15, which was confiscated by Antara.

Jokowi also reminded the Indonesian people to be grateful for the stability of the national economy. He explained that Indonesia is currently in a relatively normal position, viewed from 5.3 percent economic growth in 2022 and 5.03 percent in the first quarter of 2023.

"If we can maintain this condition, we will be the best in the whole world. At the G20 we are the best now," he said.

Jokowi also said that the achievement was good in terms of inflation control, which is at the level of 5.9 percent in 2022 and can be controlled to 3.5 percent in June 2023.

According to him, inflation rates have risen in almost all other countries, in fact, he said in Europe this could be seen with a surge in gas prices reaching 700 percent.

"Our (price) increases in fuel by 10 percent, 20 percent, the demonstration is three months. This is an increase of 700 percent imagine, every day there is no end of how many years there are," he said.

On the same occasion, Jokowi emphasized that he remains focused on working so that Indonesia does not fall into the bad category in the midst of various difficult situations that hit the world and domestic stability in welcoming the 2024 General Election.

"I don't want to, I was brought here and there. We are currently still in a working position, focusing so that our country does not fall into bad categories," said Jokowi.

Therefore, Jokowi appreciated ABJ General Chair Michael Umbas' statement that the volunteer group was not in a hurry and remained calm without being carried away in the middle of the political year towards the 2024 General Election.

"ABJ tidak grasa grusu, masih tenang, tidak terbawat arus ke sana ke sini, dan masih bekerja di bidangnya masing-masing. Itu juga yang saya lakukan," kata Jokowi.

ABJ Chairman Michael Umbas added that all volunteers in the organization agreed that they would consistently guard Jokowi until the end.

"All my friends have agreed that the results of this National Working Meeting decision we will consistently carry out to faithfully guard Jokowi until the end and remain in Jokowi's command," said Michael.