Dialogue between President of the Republic of Indonesia and Students and Islamic Boarding Schools Students (through video conference) after Inspecting COVID-19 Vaccination for Students, 19 October 2021 at State Junior High School SMPN 1 Tarakan, Tarakan Municipality, North Kalimantan Province
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Good afternoon,
May peace be upon us all.
Today, I inspect vaccination for junior high schools’ and vocational high schools’ students in Tarakan Municipality. We do expect the vaccine can give maximum protection to students so they can return to their normal activities and join in-person learning in good health.
The mass vaccination is under coordination of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN). Today, I also welcome honorable guests, namely Ambassadors of the European Union countries, and also representative of the World Bank who will witness the vaccination in our country, Indonesia.
I would like to remind the students to maintain discipline by adhering to the health protocols once the in-person learning is started: keep your masks on, wash your hands, and avoid crowd. I hope positive cases in Indonesia continue to decline.
Now, representatives of Gorontalo, State High School SMAN 3 Gorontalo, the floor is yours.
Students of State High School SMAN 3 Gorontalo, Gorontalo Province
(Greets with yells)
Student of State High School SMAN 3 Gorontalo, Gorontalo Province (Siti Fadilah Utiarahman)
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Wa’alaikumsalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Student of State High School SMAN 3 Gorontalo, Gorontalo Province (Siti Fadilah Utiarahman)
How are you, Mr. President? Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Siti Fadilah Utiarahman. I am from State High School SMAN 3 Gorontalo. I would like to say several things to you.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
All right.
Student of State High School SMAN 3 Gorontalo, Gorontalo Province (Siti Fadilah Utiarahman)
Well…
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
What?
Student of State High School SMAN 3 Gorontalo, Gorontalo Province (Siti Fadilah Utiarahman)
I think online learning is extremely boring to the extent that I once fell asleep.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
What happened? Did you feel drowsy?
Student of State High School SMAN 3 Gorontalo, Gorontalo Province (Siti Fadilah Utiarahman)
Yes, I did, Sir. Moreover, I could not understand well the subject taught by teachers that led to unfavorable class atmosphere since the students are mostly passive. Other students also faced difficulties if they got kicked out of the Zoom’s meeting room and they cannot join the learning.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Anything else?
Student of State High School SMAN 3 Gorontalo, Gorontalo Province (Siti Fadilah Utiarahman)
Personally, I couldn’t concentrate because the teacher’s voice is collided with the sound of water pump at my home. Therefore, I thank you for speeding up vaccination drive for students and Islamic Boarding School students. Now, we can finally back to school, meet our teachers and friends. We will wait for you to visit Gorontalo.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
I’ll visit Gorontalo later, inshaAllah (God willing).
Student of State High School SMAN 3 Gorontalo, Gorontalo Province (Siti Fadilah Utiarahman)
We will wait for you,
(Cheering with yells)
Student of State High School SMAN 3 Gorontalo, Gorontalo Province (I Wayan Bali Tariana)
I totally agree with her. Good afternoon, Mr. President. My name is I Wayan Bali Tariana, a student from State High School SMAN 3 Gorontalo. Can I tell something to you Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Sure.
Student of State High School SMAN 3 Gorontalo, Gorontalo Province (I Wayan Bali Tariana)
Well, in my opinion, online learning is not effective.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Why do you think so?
Student of State High School SMAN 3 Gorontalo, Gorontalo Province (I Wayan Bali Tariana)
Because many students do not have facilities needed to support online learning. Frankly, I have a friend whose family only has one device, they use it in turns. Not to mention that the phone screen is now cracked because of excessive use. Thus, mass vaccination drive for students and Islamic Boarding School students allowed us to join in-person learning, though it is still limited. I can meet again with my friends and teachers. I also hope you will keep your spirit high at tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. We fully support national vaccination drive. Stay strong.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Stay strong, everyone.
Student of State High School SMAN 3 Gorontalo, Gorontalo Province (I Wayan Bali Tariana)
Healthy Indonesia, Remarkable Indonesia. State High School SMAN 3 Gorontalo will be there for the country. I thank you.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Thank you.
Let’s move on to Lampung, representatives of State Vocational High School SMKN 1 Lampung.
Students of State High School SMAN 1 Tulang Bawang Tengah, West Tulang Bawang Regency, Lampung Province
(Greets with yells)
Student of State High School SMAN 1 Tulang Bawang Tengah, West Tulang Bawang Regency, Lampung Province (Nur Annisa Putri Reskia
Assalamu’alaikum, Mr. President.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Wa’alaikumsalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Student of State High School SMAN 1 Tulang Bawang Tengah, West Tulang Bawang Regency, Lampung Province (Nur Annisa Putri Reskia)
Greeting, Sir. I am Nur Annisa Putri Reskia, representative of State High School SMAN 1 Tulang Bawang. Alhamdulillah, thank God, I have the opportunity to talk to you. May Allah bless you with good health and strength to devote yourself to the country. We are aware that every drop of your sweat represents devotion to the state and nation, particularly to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thank you very much, Sir, for providing us, the students and people, vaccines through door-to-door approach. Hopefully, the vaccination can recover the country. Amen.
Anyway, a friend of mine, named Sony, is good at making everyone laugh.
Student of State High School SMAN 1 Tulang Bawang Tengah, West Tulang Bawang Regency, Lampung Province (Sony Afandi)
Greeting, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Assalamu’alaikum.
Student of State High School SMAN 1 Tulang Bawang Tengah, West Tulang Bawang Regency, Lampung Province (Sony Afandi)
Wa’alaikumsalam. My name is Sony Afandi. I have a rhyming poem for you.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Go ahead.
Student of State High School SMAN 1 Tulang Bawang Tengah, West Tulang Bawang Regency, Lampung Province (Sony Afandi)
It’s a typical rhyming poem of Lampung.
Makan nasi lauknya ikan, makan kerupuk rasanya gurih
Pak Jokowi sudah berjuang, terlihat sangat letih
Vaksinasi door to door sudah kami dapatkan
Pak Jokowi, terima kasih
(The first two lines of the pantun/four-line rhyming poem are an introduction. The punch of the poem is to say “Thank you Mr. Jokowi for your hard work so we have received our jabs”)
One more thing, do you know that people in Lampung can leave you in ‘awe’.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
‘Awe’?
Student of State High School SMAN 1 Tulang Bawang Tengah, West Tulang Bawang Regency, Lampung Province (Sony Afandi)
Yeah, and do you know what kind of ‘awe’ that can make everyone happy?
Students of State High School SMAN 1 Tulang Bawang Tengah, West Tulang Bawang Regency, Lampung Province
What is it?
Student of State High School SMAN 1 Tulang Bawang Tengah, West Tulang Bawang Regency, Lampung Province (Sony Afandi)
‘Awesking’ the President to give us bicycles (jokingly). You make good deeds and we are happy.
Let’s make a successful vaccination so that Indonesia can recover and be healthy.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Who asked for a bicycle?
Student of State High School SMAN 1 Tulang Bawang Tengah, West Tulang Bawang Regency, Lampung Province (Sony Afandi)
It’s me, Sir.
Student of State High School SMAN 1 Tulang Bawang Tengah, West Tulang Bawang Regency, Lampung Province (Nur Annisa Putri Reskia)
Everyone wants to get a bicycle, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Just one person, raise your hand.
Student of State High School SMAN 1 Tulang Bawang Tengah, West Tulang Bawang Regency, Lampung Province (Sony Afandi)
I did, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Okay, I’ll give it to Sony. Provide your address later.
Student of State High School SMAN 1 Tulang Bawang Tengah, West Tulang Bawang Regency, Lampung Province (Sony Afandi)
Thank God. Thank you, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
I’ll send it tomorrow.
Now, let’s move on to Jambi, PKP Al-Hidayah Islamic Boarding School, you take the floor.
Student of PKP Al-Hidayah Islamic Boarding School, Jambi Municipality, Jambi Province (Fadila)
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Wa’alaikumsalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Student of PKP Al-Hidayah Islamic Boarding School, Jambi Municipality, Jambi Province (Fadila)
Good afternoon, Pak Jokowi.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Good afternoon.
Student of PKP Al-Hidayah Islamic Boarding School, Jambi Municipality, Jambi Province (Fadila)
Allow us, students from PKP Al-Hidayah Islamic Boarding School from, to extend our greetings to the President.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Please.
Students of PKP Al-Hidayah Islamic Boarding School, Jambi Municipality, Jambi Province
(Greets with yells)
Student of PKP Al-Hidayah Islamic Boarding School, Jambi Municipality, Jambi Province (Fadila)
May I, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Please introduce yourself.
Student of PKP Al-Hidayah Islamic Boarding School, Jambi Municipality, Jambi Province (Fadila)
My name is Fadila, a senior at (Madrasah) Aliyah (Islamic senior high school). I want to place my high hopes for Mr. President on internet access expansion in Jambi. Sir, how to make our city’s internet access competitive compared to other Indonesian cities? We can do that, too, sir, because Jambi’s human capital are great. For example, the people behind me, students of Al-Hidayah Islamic Boarding School of Jambi. However, the internet network at our place is only available in certain places, sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Not yet covered on all places?
Student of PKP Al-Hidayah Islamic Boarding School, Jambi Municipality, Jambi Province (Fadila)
Yes, sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
This is the municipality, isn’t it? Or we are now in regency?
Student of PKP Al-Hidayah Islamic Boarding School, Jambi Municipality, Jambi Province (Fadila)
We are in the municipality, sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Not yet covered?
Student of PKP Al-Hidayah Islamic Boarding School, Jambi Municipality, Jambi Province (Fadila)
However, Sir, there are certain locations where fast internet access is a necessity.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Oh, I see.
Student of PKP Al-Hidayah Islamic Boarding School, Jambi Municipality, Jambi Province (Fadila)
Which makes it difficult for us to access the school lessons since we have to go to places that provide Wi-Fi. That’s it, Sir. And also, my brother also wants to speak to you about something.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Please.
Student of PKP Al-Hidayah Islamic Boarding School, Jambi Municipality, Jambi Province (Ilham Sauta Rambe)
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Wa’alaikumsalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Student of PKP Al-Hidayah Islamic Boarding School, Jambi Municipality, Jambi Province (Ilham Sauta Rambe)
Good afternoon, President Jokowi.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Good afternoon.
Student of PKP Al-Hidayah Islamic Boarding School, Jambi Municipality, Jambi Province (Ilham Sauta Rambe)
My name is Ilham Sauta Rambe, a representative of junior high school students from PKP Al-Hidayah Jambi Province. Thank God, Sir, we have been administered with the first dose and it did not hurt. Some people say it hurts as if you got bitten by a tiger or crocodile. But thank God it did not hurt at all. Just a little jab, did not hurt at all.
Sir, I also hope that in the future, we can return to school to participate in in-person learning as usual since we have received the vaccine. Honestly, we really miss the school atmosphere like it used to be, sir. We miss hanging out and going to school together like we used to.
Thank you for the mass vaccination, sir. I hope you and your family are always healthy and the pandemic will end soon.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Yes, thank you.
Student of PKP Al-Hidayah Islamic Boarding School, Jambi Municipality, Jambi Province (Ilham Sauta Rambe)
Yes, sir. Healthy Indonesia, Remarkable Indonesia.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Wa’alaikumsalam.
Thank you. All of my children, I hope that after receiving your first jab, you can attend in-person learning, under a condition that municipality/regency where you live in is implementing [public activity restrictions (PPKM)] level 1, 2, or 3. Take the first jab then you may attend in-person learning. Then, it takes 3 to 4 weeks to receive the second jab. I hope all of us can be protected from the spread of COVID-19.
That concludes my remarks on this auspicious occasion. Thank you, all of my children. Happy studying. Keep learning, both online and in-person learning in the near future.
See you again.
I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. (RAS/MUR)