Indonesia Must Make Radical Changes to Outrun other Countries, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi walks towards a room where State Defense Academy of NasDem Party takes place, at the ABN building of NasDem Party, Pancoran, Jakarta, Monday (16/7) (Photo: PR/OJI)

The life of nation of Indonesia should change to correspond with prediction of the World Bank, McKinsey,  and National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) that Indonesia will become the world’s top four economies in 2045, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo asserted.

The President also welcomed a statement delivered by Nasional Demokrat (NasDem) Party Chairman Surya Paloh concerning the importance of restoration movement in Indonesia, in which old values must be translated in the context of new values, namely rationalized values.

“Change old mindsets, overhaul the rules that trapped us and make us unable to move quickly, and to make immediate decision. That are factors that hold us,” President Jokowi said when delivering a public lecture to State Defense Academy of NasDem Party Batch 2, at the ABN building of NasDem Party, Pancoran, Jakarta, Monday (16/7).

Therefore, all elements of nation must jointly undertake planned reforms, make radical and strategic changes  in mindset, as well as in leadership strategy, from top to bottom level and include the whole community.

“If we do not make those changes, we will trap in the same old routines. Without realizing it, we will be left behind by other countries,” President Jokowi added.

According to the Head of State, Indonesia has been left behind by Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and recently by Vietnam. “We should not let Laos and Cambodia outrun us,” the President firmly said.

For that reason, President Jokowi called on everyone to build this nation with high military spirit. “We want to top the countries that have outran us, including Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand; with high spirit we can exceed all of them. We will be in front of them,” President Jokowi concluded. (DNA/ES) (RAS/YM/Naster)