Singapore Invites Indonesia To Fight COVID-19 In Today's Memory, August 17, 2020

JAKARTA Memories of today, five years ago, August 17, 2020, the Singapore government invited Indonesia to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in the momentum of celebrating Indonesia's 75th independence. This wish is so that the two countries can get through difficult times together.

Previously, the celebration of Indonesia's 75th independence had its own story. The COVID-19 pandemic is disturbing everything. The ceremony is still being held. However, carnivals and games that are usually played in villages are not heard. Everyone is afraid of contracting the corona virus.

March 2020 became a big problem for all Indonesian people. At that time, the COVID-19 pandemic was detected for the first time entering Indonesia. The COVID-19 pandemic then changed everything. All kinds of events that invite crowds like prohibited.

Schools that are usually attended face-to-face are then eliminated. Offices that are usually busy are starting to be restricted. The changes had to be made. Everything is to break the chain of the spread of the corona virus.

Even if you have to leave people's homes, you must be able to keep your distance and stay away from crowds. The message was conveyed by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) many times. He wants the COVID-19 pandemic to be handled quickly. The safety of the Indonesian people is considered the most important.

Recently, COVID-19 has become increasingly violent. Jokowi himself never imagined that the celebration of Indonesia's independence was actually celebrated in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The momentum cannot be celebrated optimally by the Indonesian people.

Children cannot celebrate with joy with competitions to carnivals. No tradition of decorating bicycles. No tradition of decorating the village. Everyone focuses on fighting against COVID-19.

Jokowi also considers that everything is forced to change. However, gratitude for the 75th year of Indonesia's independence should not be missed.

Previously, all the seats in this Courtroom were filled, without a single seat empty. Supposedly, since two weeks ago, various competitions and crowds were full of joy, carnivals celebrating the Independence Day were held, enveloping the atmosphere of the 75th month of independence of the Republic of Indonesia. However, everything we have planned must be completely changed.

"All of this should not reduce our gratitude in commemorating the 75th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day. A total of 215 countries, without exception, are facing difficult times hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. In WHO records, until August 13, there were more than 20 million cases in the world, with the number of deaths in the world as many as 737 thousand people, "said Jokowi in his state speech at the DPR MPR Building as quoted on the okezone page, August 16, 2020.

Neighboring countries do not forget to congratulate Indonesia on the 75th anniversary of independence on August 17, 2020. The Singapore government does not want to be left behind. The mandate of congratulations was conveyed by the Ambassador of Singapore to Indonesia, Anil Kumar Nayar.

Kumar witnessed for himself how difficult it was for Indonesia to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. He also felt that there were many things that were constrained by Indonesia-Singapore cooperation due to the closure of the border between the two countries.

Kumar also said that Singapore and Indonesia must strengthen each other in the momentum of independence. This desire is so that the two countries can fight back and go through difficult times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The two countries are fighting the COVID-19 pandemic bravely. I am sure that Indonesia and Singapore can overcome this challenge. Let's fight and move forward together. However, wherever we go in Singapore there must be a trail to remember Indonesia."

"There have been many proud achievements during Indonesia's 75 years of independence. Singapore and Indonesia have also been in a strong relationship for the last five decades," Kumar said as quoted by the ANTARA page, August 17, 2020.