Must be Ready to Change to Anticipate ‘Online’ Era: President Jokowi

Ibu Iriana when delivering a general lecture at Muhammadiyah University, Jember, Sunday (13/8) afternoon (Photo: PR/Agung)

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo stated that to anticipate changes, anyone should not be monotonous and should be ready to change. This statement was extended by the President, accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana, when delivering a general lecture at Muhammadiyah University, Jember, Sunday (13/8) afternoon.

Talking about the changes that must be faced in the next 5-10 years, the President reminded that they must be anticipated because they happen really quick.

Indonesia, the President added, is on the process to build MRT, LRT, and high-speed train, while other countries soon to use hyperlooop technology. In Information Technology sector, changes take place within seconds.

“Elon Musk talks about air  space management. Jack Ma has invented Alipay to replace Paypal. Meanwhile, we still pay with cash,” the President said.

To anticipate these changes, according to the President, it is important to prepare Indonesian values, character building and human resources. He added that there will be intervention in ideology as well as the values of culture, social, and economy that we do not realize.

When meeting other heads of state/government, a lot of them are alo confuse how to anticipate these changes because in a number of countries shopping malls and stores are now closed because people choose to shop in online stores.

“Indonesia already has Blibli, Bukalapak, and Matahari.com. Now, if I want to buy gado-gado or sate, I can just open Go Food application to order it,” the President added.

The President told the Executive Board of Muhammadiyah in Jember as well as all over Indonesia, to anticipate these changes. He also have told the Chancellor and Minister of Education and Culture to change education curriculum, including in the university. A university now should have different faculties, such as faculty of logistic management, retail management,faculty of e-sport, faculty of animation,  etc. “To face changes, do not be monotonous,” the President said.

The landscape of the economy changes a lot, same with the landscape of the politics, reflecting from the leaving of England from Brexit or the general election of the President of the US which the result is different from the survey.

The President also reminded that Indonesia is a diverse country that has 17,000 islands, 516 cities/regencies, 34 provinces, 714 tribes, and more than 1,100 local languages. This is the God’s gift for Indonesia. It is our destiny to have abundant natural resources, diverse religion and tribes.

Also accompanying the President in this event are Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy and Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki. (FID/AGG/EN) (MMB/YM/Naster)