Dialogue between President of the Republic of Indonesia and Representatives of Teachers and Students (via Video Conference) After COVID-19 Vaccination at State Vocational High School SMKN 1 Beringin, 16 September 2021, in Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra Province

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

This afternoon I am at State Vocational High School SMKN 1 Beringin, Deli Serdang regency, North Sumatra province. I saw that the vaccination process for all students went well.

And I would like to give the floor to State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan in Serdang Bedagai.

State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province

(Cheers)

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Thank you. Stay motivated.

How many are getting vaccinated today?

Principal of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province

Yes, today [we are administering] 3,000 doses of vaccine, Sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Oh, that is a lot.

Principal of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province

Yes, Sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Are all 3,000 [doses] for students?

Principal of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province

For students from five schools, Sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Oh, students from five schools. Good.

Principal of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province

Yes, Sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Are the vaccines complete? Ready? Available?

Principal of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province

Complete, Sir. Ready. Available.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Okay. Is there anything else you want to tell me?

Principal of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province

Yes, Sir. There is.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

What is it?

Principal of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province

Okay.

(Pantun/four-line rhyming poem)

Anak dara memakai kebaya

Duduk bersanding di pelaminan

Ini ada utusan siswa saya

Mungkin ada yang mau disampaikan

(The first two lines of the pantun are an introduction. The punch of the poem is to say “Representatives of my students would like to say something”)

Kalisa Umaira Nasution (Student of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province)

Assalamu’alaium warahmatullahi wabarakatuh

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Wa’alaikumsalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Kalisa Umaira Nasution (Student of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province)

Let me introduce myself. My name is Kalisa Umaira Nasution from State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan. Thank God, I have been vaccinated. Thank you, Mr. President.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Is this your first or second vaccination?

Kalisa Umaira Nasution (Student of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province)

The first, Sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

The first.

Have you learned at school yet?

Kalisa Umaira Nasution (Student of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province)

Yes, I have, Sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

How many weeks or days have you learned at school?

Kalisa Umaira Nasution (Student of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province)

It has been two weeks.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Good, good. Do you prefer in-person learning or online learning?

Kalisa Umaira Nasution (Student of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province)

I prefer in-person learning, Sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Why?

Kalisa Umaira Nasution (Student of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province)

It is easier to understand the lessons.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Alright. Yes, thank you.

Muhammad Fajar Alfat (Student of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province)

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, Mr. President.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Wa’alaikumsalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Muhammad Fajar Alfat (Student of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province)

Let me introduce myself, Sir. My name is Muhammad Fajar Alfat. I am student of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan.

I would like to tell my friends across Indonesia that vaccine is safe. Isn’t that right, friends?

(Yes)

And thank God, Sir, we can now learn at school although we have to take turns, Sir. And that is already great for us, Sir. Isn’t that right, friends?

(Yes)

We are also delighted to see you, Sir, even though it is only a virtual meeting. I dreamed about it last night, Sir. We will be much happier if you come here, Sir. It is only 15 minutes away from Beringin, Sir.

If you come here, we will give you dodol (traditional fudge-like confection made of palm sugar, glutinous rice, and coconut milk), Sir. Our dodol is extraordinarily delicious, Sir. Please come here, Sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

How far is Serdang Bedagai from here?

Muhammad Fajar Alfat (Student of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province)

Fifteen kilometers, Sir, approximately.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Fifteen kilometers? Oh, that is near.

Principal of State High School SMAN 1 Perbaungan, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province

Yes.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Yes, I was just asking.

Alright, let us move on to East Kalimantan province. State High School SMA 1 Tenggarong, Kutai Kartanegara regency, please.

State High School SMAN 1 Tenggarong, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province

(cheers)

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Please.

Principal of State High School SMAN 1 Tenggarong, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province (Asran)

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Wa’alaikumsalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Principal of State High School SMAN 1 Tenggarong, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province (Asran)

Distinguished President of the Republic of Indonesia.

My name is Haji Asran, S.Pd. M.Pd, Principal of State High School SMAN 1 Tenggarong, Kutai Kartanegara regency, East Kalimantan province. Thank God, Mr. President, today State High School SMA 1 Tenggarong is carrying out mass vaccination for 1,500 people.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

One thousand and five hundred?

Principal of State High School SMAN 1 Tenggarong, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province (Asran)

Yes. Some [people] around the school are also getting vaccinated here, Mr. President.

Some of our students would like to speak to you, Mr. President.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Please.

Muamar (Student of State High School SMAN 1 Tenggarong, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province)

Hello, Sir. As the goes saying, “urang-urang tu mun etam” (out of sight, out of mind). So, let me introduce myself, Sir. My name is Muamar from State High School SMAN 1 Tenggarong.

Sir, I would like to tell you something. I would like to tell you about this country of mine, the demographic bonus. We are the millennial generation. We are the nation’s next generation, Sir. Our quality must be good, Sir. I think we are quite good because we understand technology, we understand globalization, but we still receive more from Mr. Jokowi. We are given vaccines. It makes us more motivated to learn directly at school, Sir. If school goes offline again, we will be more motivated to learn, Sir. We can resume our usual activities, Sir. At home, we only watch Korean drama, Sir. Penthouse, Mouse, and so on. If we learn at school, we will be motivated. If we are motivated, we can advance the country.

Thank you for the vaccines, Sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Yes, you are welcome. Children, although you are smart and clever, what is the point if you are not healthy? That is why you should be healthy. Smart and also healthy. Get vaccinated so that you are not exposed to COVID-19, okay? Keep studying.

Nerissa Arviana Gemilang (Student of State High School SMAN 1 Tenggarong, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province)

Yes, Sir. I would like to speak as well, Sir. May I?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Yes, please.

Nerissa Arviana Gemilang (Student of State High School SMAN 1 Tenggarong, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province)

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Wa’alaikumsalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Nerissa Arviana Gemilang (Student of State High School SMAN 1 Tenggarong, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province)

Let me introduce myself. My name is Nerissa Arviana Gemilang. I am a representative of State High School SMAN 1 Tenggarong. As we all know, Tenggarong is one of the oldest Hindu kingdoms. In Tenggarong, there is a traditional ceremony called Erau.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Erau.

Nerissa Arviana Gemilang (Student of State High School SMAN 1 Tenggarong, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province)

Erau—yes, Sir. Erau is a very sacred activity. And if you come here during Erau, there is TIFAF, Tenggarong International Arts Festival. In TIFAF, international group showcase the arts and cultures of their countries.

The sad part is that the pandemic has been around for approximately two years, Sir. It is so sad, Sir. I wanted to come to the festival. I like such traditional ceremonies, Sir. I really want this pandemic to be over soon and festivals to be carried out again in our beloved Tenggarong, Sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Yes. Yes, we hope that comes true.

So, if the situation has gone back to normal, what does it mean? Everyone has been vaccinated and everyone has remained using a face mask, so festivals, shows, everything can be carried out with strict health protocols. If the pandemic situation has improved, the festivals can be carried out again.

Principal of State High School SMAN 1 Tenggarong, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province (Asran)

Mr. President.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

Yes?

Principal of State High School SMAN 1 Tenggarong, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province (Asran)

Mr. President, regarding what the students have said, Mr. President, they are tired of online learning, Mr. President. They want in-person learning to be resumed, Mr. President.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

In-person learning is allowed. Please resume in-person learning, provided that the regency or the city [enforces public activity restrictions] below level 4. It is allowed at [levels] 3 or 2.

Vaccinate teachers, vaccinate children. It is okay if they have only received the first dose. It is alright. But please carry out limited in-person learning. It can be [limited to] 30 percent, 50 percent, or carried out in shifts, [students] take turns.

Principal of State High School SMAN 1 Tenggarong, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province (Asran)

Thank you, Mr. President. I hope you and your family stay healthy. Amen.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

I thank you. Wa’alaikumsalam, thank you, everyone. I hope after vaccination, everyone is healthy and can avoid being exposed to COVID-19. That concludes my speech. Thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. (DH/MUR)