The Story Of Meeting Mark Zuckerberg At The 34th NU Congress, Jokowi: Be Careful, We Must Influence Civilization For The Benefit Of The People

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

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo attended the opening of the 34th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress in Lampung, which was held on December 22-23. In his speech, President Jokowi alluded to the people's economy, especially related to equity. According to him, economic equality is not an easy thing to do.

"But I see the strength in NU now, young people who are smart, their santri students are smart, which are issued by many big universities from all countries in the world. If this can be knitted in a power this locomotive can pull the carriage below to work together for the welfare of all of us," said President Jokowi at the opening of the 34th NU Congress, Wednesday, December 22.

Jokowi also offered to make a container for young people. It can be in the form of a limited liability company (PT) or a business group.

"And the government, I, am preparing concessions, whether it's up to concessions that are up to you to use agricultural land, please, I also want to make mineral and coal concessions that want to engage in the nickel business, for example coal, bauxite, copper business please. But again this is in a large business group so that later can hoist, invite other carriages for a big job. I see the potential is there, just knitting, "said Jokowi.

Then related to technology, President Jokowi saw that many NU youths were smart in this field.

"Many students are doctoral students, because in the future what is called technology, we must inevitably enter there. Because we want this technology to be useful for the people, for the people. Don't let it destroy and create negative things for the people," he said.

Jokowi also said, five years ago he met the owner of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg and was invited to play ping pong with metaverse glasses.

"I was invited to play ping pong but there was no ping pong ball, no table. Wearing glasses to play together exactly like playing ping pong 100 percent, sweating too and he whispered to me 'President Jokowi is just the beginning, everything will be virtual called metaverse. Virtual office, virtual malls, virtual tours, be careful about this," said Jokowi.

"And NU because in its theme it is dedicated to world civilization, we must be careful to influence civilization so that it is beneficial for people all over the world, especially in our country Indonesia. Later everything will be virtual preaching, virtual recitations but like meeting like this like now. Metaverse will change, I don't know if it's because of this pandemic being accelerated by 5 to 10 years but it's definitely coming," he continued.

Therefore, Jokowi reminded that all must be prepared and together with NU for world civilization. Indonesia, he said, is now leading the G20 by becoming the chairman and also wants to influence world policies that favor poor countries, developing countries, small countries, archipelagic countries and everything. The same applies to digitalization of climate change and a green economy.

"Once again, I would like to thank NU for continuing to safeguard nationality, safeguard Indonesia's tolerance, pluralism, Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, the diversity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and with that we can continue to take care of the country we love," he said.