President Jokowi Gives Directives on COVID-19 Pandemic Handling, Global Economic Turmoil

President Jokowi

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, on Monday (05/09), has given a number of directives during the Plenary Cabinet Meeting held at the State Palace, Jakarta. President’s directives include, among others, COVID-19 pandemic handling and global economic turmoil.

“I want all of us to keep concentrating on issues related to pandemic and also the current global economic turmoil that has not over yet, and it has caused uncertainties in all countries’ economy,” President Jokowi said in his opening remarks.

The President’s directives are as follows.

First, related to COVID-19 pandemic handling, the Head of State ensured that the Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM) still need to be implemented although the daily COVID-19 cases in Indonesia have been decreasing.

“So, please inform that PPKM will continue to be implemented until we are certain that we can control 100 percent of COVID-19,” said the President.

Second, related to the traffic flows management before and after the Eid al-Fitr holiday, President Jokowi expressed his appreciation to all ranks of Ministries, the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) that have cooperated well in order to enable smooth traffic flows.

Third, related to the vigilance on global economic turmoil due to Ukrainian war and the US monetary policy, President Jokowi has directed to thoroughly monitor macro- and microeconomic management, especially related to food and energy.

“Yesterday, I have asked Cabinet Secretary to hold a Limited Cabinet Meeting every week on PPKM, and also on food and energy issues, because the management of the issues is very important for our economic stability, especially for the stability of basic commodities’ prices,” the President said.

Fourth, President Jokowi reminded his Ministers to develop deep sensitivity related to potential crises in Indonesia, starting from the dry season, potential forest and land fires, to the nail and mouth diseases that affect the cattle in Indonesia. President Jokowi asked Minister of Agriculture to lock down and implement lockdown zoning system in order to effectively prevent the mobility of the cattle.

“I also ask Polri Chief to completely prevent the mobility of the cattle from areas that have been identified with the nail and mouth diseases. Form task forces, so it is clear who will be responsible for it,” President Jokowi emphasized.

Fifth, President Jokowi underscored the importance of accelerated realization of the expenditures of the State Budget (APBN), the Regional Budget (APBD), and State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) that affect the people’s economy.

Lastly, President Jokowi asked his ranks to stay focused on their respective tasks although the 2024 general elections’ process will kick off in the middle of this year.

“National strategic agendas remain our priorities and we must ensure that it will be well-implemented, and the general elections will be held in a good and smooth manner, without any hindrance,” President Jokowi remarked. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat/UN)(AW/MUR)