I’m Optimistic Indonesia Has a Good Future, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi hosts a meeting with national role model, Paskibraka (National Flag Hoisting Team), and Gita Bahana Nusantara (National Choirs and Orchestra Group), at State Palace, Monday (20/8). (Photo: PR/Jay)

During a meeting with the national role model, members of the Paskibraka (national flag hoisting team) and members of the Gita Bahana Nusantara (National Choirs and Orchestra Group) at State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (20/8), President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said that as a big country with a population of 260 million people, Indonesia is facing many challenges to achieve a prosperous and just society.

“It’s not easy for us to be on par with developed countries but I am optimistic that this country has a good future,” the President said, adding that Indonesia can achieve that as long as everyone works hard.

President Jokowi also told Indonesia’s young people and the millennial not to laze around and follow the culture of instant gratification. According to him, nothing happens in an instant; everything must go through a process.

Other countries, continued the President, must have experienced it as well. “Every country must have gone through stages: from being poor countries to being developing countries, and from being developing countries to being developed countries,” President Jokowi explained.

President Jokowi went on to say that the world is changing rapidly marked by the appearance of Artificial Intelligence, advance robotic, crypto currency, and Bitcoin and mentioned technology inventions, such as Tesla, Hyperloop, and spaceX. According to him, if Indonesia does not work hard and cannot keep up with the fast changes,  the country will be left behind from other countries.

“Only with an unyielding spirit can we have a great opportunity to become a developed country,” the President said, adding that Indonesian people must also be optimistic because we have big potentials.

“I am sure this country will develop faster,” President Jokowi concluded.

The event was attended by 213 participants, including 95 people national role model, 72 members of the Paskibraka, and 46 members of the Gita Bahana Nusantara.