Jokowi: All Countries Are Not In A Safe Position, Be Careful!

Photo: BPMI Setpres/Kris

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said the current situation is not easy. In fact, he reminded all countries not to be in a safe position due to the COVID-19 pandemic and war.

He conveyed this when giving a briefing at the Peak of the 29th National Family Day in Medan today, Thursday, July 7.

"Right now, all countries are not in a safe position. Be careful about this," Jokowi said on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube show.

He said there were many tough challenges to be faced. One of them is the COVID-19 pandemic that has occurred for the past 2.5 years.

All parties, continued Jokowi, were asked to remain vigilant in dealing with the spread of COVID-19 in the country. Controlling the pace of cases must be done so that economic recovery can be carried out.

"We have been facing a formidable challenge for 2.5 years called the COVID-19 pandemic and so far it has not been completed, it has not been completed. Other countries still have high COVID-19 cases, thank God, although we are still in a low position, this is our duty to control," said the former governor of DKI Jakarta.

"Stay alert, don't let it rise again, because if we can control COVID-19, the economic recovery will be easier," he added.

Apart from the COVID-19 pandemic, another issue to watch out for is the war between Ukraine and Russia. Jokowi said this condition created a big problem because it was related to food and energy.

In fact, as a result of the war, world oil prices rose to 110-120 US dollars per barrel from the normal range of 60 US dollars per barrel.

This increase then has an impact on the increase in the price of fuel oil (BBM).

"Our country is still resistant not to raise the so-called Pertalite," he said.

"Other countries whose name is fuel, gasoline is already at Rp. 31,000 in Germany, in Singapore. Thailand is Rp. 20,000. We are still Rp. 7,650 thousand. Why? Subsidized by the state budget," Jokowi continued.

Jokowi said this subsidy would be given following the state budget.

"If it's not strong enough, what can you do, right? If fuel goes up, there are those who agree? Surely everyone will disagree. But remember that we still import half of our needs, 1.5 million barrels of oil from outside are still imported," he said.