Jokowi: Indonesia Will Face More External Challenges

Screenshots - President Joko Widodo when opening the HMI XXXII Congress and the 2023 Kohati XXV National Conference in Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan, Friday (11/24/2023). (ANTARA/Yashinta Difa)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo assesses that the Indonesian nation will face more external challenges in the future that the next leader must face.

The challenges that Jokowi is referring to include rising food prices triggered by the Russian war in Ukraine and the potential for an increase in world oil prices due to the widespread conflict in the Middle East, if the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that is still ongoing in Gaza is not stopped immediately.

"For future leadership, especially in 2024, 2029, 2034, will determine whether our country can jump into a developed country or not," Jokowi said at the opening of the Islamic Student Association (HMI) Congress in Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, November 24.

Jokowi reminded that in civilization, countries only have one chance to be able to maximize their potential and jump to the ranks of developed countries.

"Therefore, Indonesia's opportunities should not be missed," said Jokowi.

"Our opportunity exists, our opportunity also exists, but there are also many challenges," he added.

Jokowi mencontohkannegara-negara di Amerika Latin, yang sejak tahun 1950an sudah menjadi negara berkembang dan masih tetap menjadi negara berkembang sampai saat ini.

In fact, he continued, there are countries in the region that have become poor countries because they cannot take advantage of the potential and momentum to advance.

"This is what we don't want. We must take advantage of opportunities and opportunities," he said.

He hopes that the younger generation of HMI and Kohati cadres can be optimistic in looking to Indonesia's future, especially in facing various challenges in the future.

"Indeed, the young ones must be optimistic. There are challenges that we know; but there is no need to be pessimistic, don't be afraid or worried," said Jokowi.