Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the 4th Congress of the Indonesian Muslim Brotherhood (Parmusi) of 2020 (Through Video Conference) Saturday, 26 September 2020 at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

Alhamdulillahirrabbilalamin, wassalatu wassalamu’ala ashrafil anbiya i wal-mursalin, sayidina wa habibina wa syafiina wa maulana muhammaddin, wa’ala alihi wa sahbihi ajma’in amma ba’du.

Distinguished alim ulama (Islamic scholars), kiai (clerics), ustadz (teachers),

Distinguished Indonesia Onward Cabinet Ministers,

Distinguished General Chairman of Parmusi, Drs. H. Usamah Hisyam, M.Sos.,

Distinguished Steering Committee of Parmusi,

Participants of fourth Congress of Parmusi;

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let us express our profound gratitude to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala for His mercy and blessing so the 4^th Congress of Parmusi can be organized. This year’s Congress is held in a different atmosphere that is in the midst of a test faced by our nation, a harsh trial from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, and mankind around the world is also facing the same thing, facing the threat of Covid-19 pandemic spread.

Millions of people have been infected with the coronavirus. Based on the 26 September 2020 data, the number of people exposed (to Coronavirus) in 215 countries had reached 32.7 million people. Today, there are 266,000 people infected. So far, in the United States, 7.2 million people are infected; in India, 5.9 million people are infected; in Brazil, 4.6 million people are infected; in Russia, 1.1 million people are infected. Also, hundreds of thousands have died. The number of deaths worldwide has now reached 991,000 people and in Indonesia, as many as 10,000 people have died.

Due to the pandemic, global economic growth has slowed down. In normal condition, the ecconomy used to grow positively. However, the economic growth including those of major countries is sharply contracted during the pandemic. In the second quarter of 2020, India’s economic growth contracted by 23.9%, England by 21.7%, Malaysia by 17.1%, Singapore by 13.2%, and Indonesia by 5.32%. However, Indonesia still achieved a positive growth of 2.97% in the first quarter. I convey the situation as it is. Many people have lost their jobs around the world and are struggling to survive. In facing these difficulties, we must not give up. We must take measures and strive to control the spread of COVID-19 and to help our brothers and sisters at the same time, so their economic condition will not get any worse.

Distinguished Chairman and Members of Parmusi,

I want to reiterate that public health and safety are top priorities of the Government. We maintain their health and protect them not to be infected (by COVID-19), while we also try to heal those infected by the virus. Alhamdulillah, praise be to God, as of 25 September 2020, the total number of recovered patients in Indonesia was 196,000 people, with a recovery rate of 73.5 percent and the figure is expected to increase. We also push down the mortality rate. We strive to decrease daily active cases and to flatten the curve.

It requires synergy and cooperation since the Government alone cannot resolve this problem. We must unite and take a joint action to address this challenging situation. I hope all members of Parmusi across the country join hands with all elements of the nation to be on the front line of protecting themselves, protecting the health of the public, the nation and the state, so that Indonesia can recover from this condition.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we must be disciplined in implementing health protocols and to maintain safe practices at home or when going outside. Therefore, I want to invite you all to adopt a healthy and clean lifestyle as taught by Islam, always follow health protocols by wearing face masks, maintaining safe distance, washing hands frequently, avoiding crowds and mass gathering which is well-implemented today through this virtual congress.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

In a bid to ease the economic burden of lower class people, the Government has disbursed social protection funds amounting to Rp203.9 trillion through various programs, such as the Family Hope Program (PKH), the Staple Food Assistance, the Cash Social Assistance, the Pre-Employment Cards, the Direct Cash Assistance (BLT), the Village Funds, the Productive Presidential Assistance for MSMEs in the form of Working Capital, the Salary Subsidies, and electricity discounts. Those programs are aimed at easing the economic burden of the communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alhamdulilah, the implementation of the social protection programs had been going well. As of 23 September 2020, the details of the disbursed funds were as follows:

1. The Family Hope Program has distributed Rp29.133 trillion to 10 million beneficiaries;
2. The Staple Food Program has distributed Rp30.978 trillion to 19.41 million beneficiaries;
3. The Staple Food Program in Jakarta and its Greater Areas has been distributed Rp4.407 trillion to 1.9 million beneficiaries;
4. The Cash Social Assistance Program outside Jakarta Greater Areas has distributed Rp24.787 trillion to 9.1 million beneficiaries;
5. The Pre-Employment Card Program for those who have been laid off has distributed Rp16.617 trillion to 4.8 million beneficiaries;
6. The Village Fund Direct Cash Assistance Program has distributed Rp11,730 trillion to 7.55 million beneficiaries;
7. Assistance for MSMEs, Productive Presidential Assistance for Working Capital has distributed Rp14.183 trillion to 5.9 million MSME actors;
8. The Salary Subsidy Program has distributed Rp10.800 trillion to 9 million beneficiaries; and
9. Electricity Discount Program has distributed Rp3.455 trillion to 31.4 million electricity consumers.

Implementation of the National Economic Recovery Programs, particularly the social protection programs is expected to increase people’s productivity. I repeat once again, that health aspect is a very important aspect and preventing virus transmission is even more important. I urge everyone to be disciplined in implementing health protocols so the virus transmission can be curbed and people’s lives can return to normal.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of Parmusi,

The Chairman of Parmusi has mentioned about the land issue; I want to meet with the Chairman to resolve, and finalize the issue. I am interested in the matter that was just brought up that is the development of civilized villages program and the Government, God willing, will support this program run by Parmusi.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

We should not forget to practice rituals such as zikr, istighfar and tawba to God, as well as to give charity to those in need amidst the tough situation. May Allah end COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, and always protect us and ensure the safety of our people, our nation and our country.

And that concludes my remarks in this auspicious occasion. By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, in the name of Allah the most gracious and the most merciful, I officially open the 4^th Congress of the Parmusi.

Thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Translated by: Rany Anjany

Edited by: Mia Medyana