Golkar's 57th Anniversary, Jokowi Alludes To Government's Homework That Must Be Completed

Indonesian President Joko Widodo/ Photo:IST

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia is getting better. This can be seen from the decreasing number of cases, the sloping level of transmission, and the gradual decline in the death rate. Even so, there are still a number of homework (PR) that must be completed.

"Indonesia also still has many strategic national agendas or homework (PR) that must be completed. Among them are how we are able to solve extreme poverty, how we encourage the growth of more and more new jobs," said Jokowi at the Golkar 57th Anniversary event in Jakarta, Saturday, October 23.

Not only that, said Jokowi, the government must also help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) advance to class. As is known, MSMEs are the backbone of the national economy. Where the contribution to GDP is 60 percent.

"How can we make our MSMEs go up in class, so that our MSMEs will be stronger and more resilient after this pandemic," he said.

Jokowi said that in line with improving health care, the national economy also began to move in a positive direction.

"Our economy is growing, the trade balance is in surplus, the PMI is also getting better," he said.

The former Governor of DKI Jakarta said that the COVID-19 pandemic had taught all parties a lot about the importance of a quick and appropriate response, which could reach and protect people in all corners of the country without exception.

Furthermore, Jokowi views the COVID-19 pandemic as a test of the resilience of systems and institutions in Indonesia. Because during this pandemic, Indonesia is facing a global crisis at the same time.

"Also a health crisis and an economic crisis, this crisis that has not existed in history, which to overcome it requires extraordinary actions, extraordinary actions," he said.

Therefore, Jokowi said, in this condition the executive, judicial and legislative institutions are challenged and tested whether they can deal with the COVID-19 pandemic situation properly. In addition, the forum for articulation and political aggregation of the people in the party was also tested.

"Are political parties already on the right and left of society in dealing with situations like this. They are required to be present to ease the burden on the community and also be present to provide solutions to the problems faced by our people," he said.