Jokowi Doesn't Want Political Competition To Hinder Government Programs

President Joko Widodo chaired the plenary session at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (3/7/2023). BETWEEN/Rangga Pandu Asmara Jingga

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo emphasized to all ministers of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet that he does not want political competition in the 2024 General Election to hinder government programs.

"I want to emphasize several things that must be of concern to all of us, the first to focus and be aware of potential crises. Prioritize the interests of the community and national interests, lest because there is political competition, the government program will be hampered", President Jokowi said in an introduction to the Plenary Session of the Semester 1 State Budget Implementation at the State Palace, Jakarta, reported by ANTARA, Monday, July 3.

Jokowi said that Indonesia should be grateful because national economic growth is relatively high above five percent and during the six consecutive quarters the national economy grew above five percent.

In addition, the World Bank as of July 2023 again included Indonesia in the group upper middle income countries after having dropped to the middle-income country group in 2020 due to the pandemic.

"However, the situation we face in the second half of 2023 is not easy and we have to be aware of several things", said Jokowi.

According to Jokowi, this must be watched out for, namely the global environment that is still unstable, geopolitical tensions that are still ongoing and have an impact on economic growth and weakened trade activities, to predictions from various international institutions for the slowdown in the global economy and also the increase in global interest rates.

"Global inflation is still relatively high, then if we look at global trade fragmentation that hinders multilateral cooperation, to various early indicators for consumption and production show the situation, some are positive but some are weakened, we must also look at this carefully", explained the President.

Therefore, Jokowi reminded that political competition that might occur ahead of the 2024 General Election should not interfere with government programs.