President Jokowi Gives Directives to Governors on COVID-19 Management, Capital Relocation

President Jokowi gives several directives to all governors in Indonesia at Novotel Hotel in Balikpapan city, East Kalimantan province, Sunday (03/13). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Sunday (03/13) gave several directives to all governors from all over Indonesia on, among others, COVID-19 management, regional budgets (APBD), and the new capital at Novotel Hotel in East Kalimantan provincial capital of Balikpapan.

On COVID-19 management, the President reminded the governors to not relax health protocol enforcement in their respective regions.

“We must be grateful for drops in daily cases, but all governors must remain vigilant. The management must not be relaxed, especially health protocols. Urge the people to be disciplined and to observe health protocols,” he said, while underscoring the importance of carrying out vaccination vigorously in the regions.

“Continue the vaccination, the first dose, the second dose, and the booster dose,” he said.

The President also spoke about the current global situation that the governors need to respond to, including energy crisis, food crisis, and war situation.

“The global situation is not easy, be it because of chronical disruptions due to the Industrial Revolution 4.0, the mess due to the pandemic, or a war,” he said, adding that due to uncertain global situations, energy and food crises that may affect Indonesia have arisen.

“The global oil price has doubled, not to mention gas, not to mention food shortage, which cause prices to skyrocket,” he said.

Therefore, the President ordered governors to adjust APBD to the current situation.

“In allocating APBD, you should change everything, not like the old normal time. Do not do business as usual. We must be able to make adjustment to our APBD. There is only one key. Our speed to adjust,” he said.

On that occasion, the President also talked about the capital relocation to Nusantara, the new capital in the island of Kalimantan.

“It does not mean that we want to leave Special Capital Region (DKI) of Jakarta. Do not interpret it that way because our country is huge: 17,000 islands. 58 percent of the GDP is in Java island. The magnet is currently in DKI Jakarta. 56 percent of the population is in Java; thus economic inequality, infrastructure inequality,” he said.

The President expressed hope that with the development of the new capital, Indonesia can have a city with international standards and facilities with international standards as well.

“We want to have an international city, international hospitals, international higher education institutions. Previously, it was not allowed. Thanks to the Omnibus Law, it is now allowed. If you want to attract foreign investments, you may. Please,” he told the governors. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (DH/EP)