Opening The 34th NU Congress, President Jokowi Tells The Role Of Kiai In The Succession Of Injecting AstraZeneca Vaccines

President Jokowi delivers remarks when opening the 34th Nahdlatul Ulama Congress (Capture of the Presidential Secretariat Youtube Screen via ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) attended the opening of the 34th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress in Lampung, which was held on December 22-23.

In his speech, President Jokowi gave high appreciation to NU for helping the government in calming the people and the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The President also thanked NU for inviting people to obey health protocols and inviting people to flock to the vaccination program.

"I feel very well how the invitation of kiai, ulama, really has an impact on increasing people's desire to participate in vaccinations," said President Jokowi in his remarks at the opening of the 34th NU Congress, Wednesday, December 22.

The President, then told about the beginning of the vaccination program. At that time, no one wanted to take the AstraZeneca vaccine in many areas. Even though at that time, said Jokowi, the large stock was the AstraZeneca vaccine.

"But when there was a call from the Kiai of East Java, 'Mr. president, please send all the vaccines to East Java, we receive it', the next day I went to East Java, the Kiai gathered and really all of them wanted to receive the vaccine," said President Jokowi.

"After that, all regions one by one want, want, want, want. This is the influence of Ulama, Kiai in inviting people to participate in vaccinations," he continued.

It is known, the President continued, that on July 15, Indonesia was in a very tense situation. But thanks to NU's support, Jokowi said, Indonesia was able to get through a critical period.

"I'm scary to tell you all, the hospitals in Java-Bali are full, oxygen is lacking, drugs are running out, shortages, the daily cases at that time were 56 thousand so there were not enough hospitals. Thank God, thanks to NU support yesterday, the case, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah only 216 cases per day in all Indonesia. If we have 514 regencies/cities, there are only 216 cases, meaning that in each city and district there are only half the cases," explained Jokowi.

Then regarding vaccination, the President added, to this day the Indonesian government has injected 263 million vaccines to the public.

"Mr Kiai can imagine injecting 263 million injections. It is a very complicated job, complex, yet to bring the vaccine to a difficult place on a mountain, a small island by boat, ride a motorbike, carry a box, for a vaccine cooler. Once again, Alhamdulillah we have reached 263 million, the first dose is 73.29 percent, the second dose is 51.8 percent. We hope that soon we can reach 70 percent to catch up so that COVID-19 does not spread everywhere again," said Jokowi.

The President also informed that currently 1 million doses of the vaccine have been injected to children aged 6-11 years. "It's also a good speed, once again Alhamdulillah," said Jokowi.

However, Jokowi's message is that Indonesia must remain careful and vigilant because now a new variant called Omicron has emerged.

"There have been 83,000 cases in the world and our country has also entered, so I once again appreciate the health protocols and being accompanied by the Task Force in this congress. God willing, we will return to our respective regions in good health," said President Jokowi.