Jokowi Called Commemoration Of Indonesian Independence This Year Must Change Totally Due To COVID-19

President Joko Widodo (Photo: Capture the live broadcast screen of the MPR Annual Session on YouTube DPR RI)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo read out a state speech for the 75th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence in the Annual Session of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly and the Joint Session of the DPR and DPD RI.

Jokowi's speech was opened by looking around the courtroom, where the seat capacity of parliamentarians was limited and kept at a distance. This is due to the implementation of health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Supposedly, all the seats in the Courtroom are fully occupied, without a single empty seat," said Jokowi at the DPR / MPR RI Building, Friday, August 14.

Jokowi continued, it should have been since the beginning of August, the public had usually started running various competition activities to celebrate the commemoration of Independence Day.

"Supposedly, since 2 weeks ago, various competitions and crowds were full of joy, carnivals celebrating independence day were held, enveloping the atmosphere of Indonesia's 75th Independence Month," said Jokowi.

However, he said, all these activities had to be canceled. Because, currently Indonesia is facing a corona virus outbreak and the government is trying to control the number of COVID-19 cases.

"All of this should not diminish our gratitude in commemorating 75 Years of Indonesian Independence," he said.

In the agenda of the MPR RI Annual Session which will be followed by the Joint Session of the DPR RI and DPD RI, President Jokowi wore traditional Sabu clothes from East Nusa Tenggara.

This annual session is different from previous years. The trial committee applies strict health protocols in the MPR / DPR / DPD Building. All trial participants are also required to carry out a swab test with a negative COVID-19 result.

In addition, all people who enter the area around the MPR / DPR / DPD building are required to carry out a rapid test or rapid test to diagnose COVID-19.

The number of trial participants was limited. Members of the DPR who were physically present were members of the DPR leadership, chairmen and secretaries of fractions, chair of commissions, and chairmen of faction groups in each commission.

Meanwhile, around 50 people participated in the session from the MPR, namely from the MPR leadership and factions in the MPR, as well as 50 members from the DPD RI. Members of the MPR / DPR / DPD who were not physically present attended the session virtually.