For The Sake Of The Muhammadiyah Congress, Jokowi Willing To Leave The APEC Summit In Bangkok

President Jokowi/PHOTO via Instagram @jokowi

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said he had to say goodbye to the APEC Summit in Bangkok on Friday, November 18. This was done to attend the opening of the Muhammadiyah Congress in Solo.

This was conveyed by Jokowi when giving a speech at the Muhammadiyah Congress in Solo, Central Java. Jokowi said he arrived from Bangkok on Friday night, November 18.

"Last night I was still in Bangkok and arrived in Solo at 11 pm," Jokowi said as quoted from the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube show, Saturday, November 19.

"The APEC summit should have just finished this afternoon. However, because of my respect, my respect for the invitation from PP Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah, I went home ahead of other leaders," he continued.

In his remarks, Jokowi appreciated Muhammadiyah's work in helping to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. He is grateful that there are 120 hospitals and 235 clinics that help with treatment and vaccination.

In addition, Muhammadiyah is also said to have a big contribution in the world of education. This is proven by the existence of 170 universities; 1,364 high schools or equivalent; 1,826 junior high schools; 2,817 elementary schools; 20,233 kindergartens, PAUD to play groups; and 440 Islamic boarding schools.

However, Jokowi reminded Muhammadiyah to be more focused on improving the quality of human resources (HR). Moreover, global competition will be even tighter in the future.

"Facing an increasing global competition, we must focus on improving the quality of human resources and mastering science and technology," he said.

Next, Muhammadiyah was asked to continue to spread the teachings of advanced Islam and uphold tolerance.

"Through this educational institution, I hope that the central role of ladies and gentlemen will continue to spread progressive Islam, Islam, which is full of values of tolerance, Islam that maintains unity, Islam that maintains brotherhood and peace," concluded Jokowi.