Persons with Disabilities Must be Confident, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi attends celebration of the 2018 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, at Summarecon Mall, Bekasi, West Java, Monday (3/12). (Photo by: Rahmat/PR Division)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, on Monday (3/12), attended the 2018 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which has been annually observed on 3 December around the world, at the parking lot of Summarecon Mall , Bekasi, West Java. The event that was attended by a number of persons with disabilities adopted a theme “Indonesia Inclusion and Disability-Friendly”.

At the beginning of his remarks, President Jokowi used sign language to express that he loves everyone here. The President also appreciated the achievement of Indonesian athletes in the 2018 Asian Para Games who had successfully bagged 37 gold medals.

“Therefore, you must be confident, work hard, and be innovative to achieve remarkable outcomes,” the President firmly said.

According to Chairman of the Indonesian Disabled People’s Association (PPCI) Gufroni Sakaril, this event marked the first time that President Jokowi received persons with disabilities outside the Palace. Gufroni also said that the President was awarded by the Asian Paralympic Committee for the Indonesian Government’s full support to the organization of the 2018 Asian Para Games.

On that occasion, the Chairman expressed his hope that regional heads are going to involve the disabled in development planning starting from village, the lowest level of administrative divisions.

“We expect the implementation of Law Number 8 can be coupled with a Government Regulation so that the implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities can be more effective,” Gufroni added.

In the event, President Jokowi also awarded persons with disabilities who have recorded outstanding achievements, among others:

1. Rahmat Hidayat; talented at designing clothes;
2. Fany Nugroho; a goalkeeper whose team won a European Championship;
3. Ahmad Subandi; building robots out of junk;
4. Firda Indira Yuni Lestari; a Hafidzah (someone who completely memorizes the Qur’an);
5. Agung Heli Zafar; a painter;
6. Fahar Trihadi; a medal winner at Paralympic;
7. Abiyu;
8. Mukhlis Abdul Khaliq; walking 3 km to school;
9. Olivia Elizabeth Novita; one of recipients of 2,000 hearing aids;
10. Nedy Supriadi; one of recipients of 1,000 wheelchairs;
11. Syaifuddin;
12. Odilia Quenila Satrijo.

Also accompanying President Jokowi in the event were Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Social Affairs Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Minister of Manpower Hanif Dhakiri, Governor of West Java Ridwan Kamil, and Mayor of Bekasi Rahmat Effendi. (EN/RAH/ES)

Translated by : Rany Anjany Subachrum
Edited by : Mia Medyana Bonaedy