COVID-19 Pandemic Should Push for Innovation, Transformation: President Jokowi

President Jokowi in the launching of national campaign called #BanggaBuatanIndonesia via a teleconference Thursday (14/5), from the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. (Photo by: Rahmat/PR)

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic should not prevent us from being creative; instead, it should push us to continue to innovate, transform, explore potentials, and make the most of opportunities, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said.

“We are aware that world is struggling to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and 213 countries are facing these trying times,” the President said at the launching of a national campaign called #BanggaBuatanIndonesia, which literally means “proud of Indonesian products” via a teleconference Thursday (14/5) from the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.

Global economy, the President continued, is experiencing financial hardship and every country is struggling to save its people from being exposed (to the virus) and to ensure their economy keep running.

“Amid the ongoing pandemic, we must be able to rely on our own strength and to resolve problems and challenges, be it in the health sector or socioeconomic aspect,” he said, adding that he is grateful that Indonesia has a lot of great works and locally-made products with high quality and design.

To that end, those products must become national pride, the President said.

Indonesia, the President said, has also managed to develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kit, rapid diagnostic test (RDT), and ventilator to accelerate measures to handle the pandemic.

“We hope we can mass-produce those medical kits by the end of this month so we no longer depend on imported products,” he said, adding that the Government fully supports home industries.

“We must also appreciate works, respect, and support products of our fellow citizens. We must make the most of those products for the development of our state and nation,” he added. (TGH/EN)

Translator: Muhardi
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas