President Widodo Calls for Building Participatory Communication Based on Science, Data

President Jokowi talks with Vice President Ma’ruf Amin prior to a limited meeting on the Accelerated Handling of COVID-19 Pandemic, Monday (13/7). (Photo by: Agung/PR)

The Government must continue to provide and build participatory communication to the public based on science and data, according to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

“(We must build) communication that builds trust based on science and data in order to raise public participation, particularly the vulnerable,” the President said in his introduction in a limited meeting on the Accelerated Handling of COVID-19 Pandemic, Monday (13/7).

The President also said the Government must further promote campaigns to raise public awareness and discipline to implement health protocols such as by wearing face masks, practicing social distancing, and washing hands.

“I’ve learned that [the rising number of COVID-19 cases] in East Java province is mainly caused by people not wearing face masks, accounting for 70 percent,” he said, adding that the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), volunteers, mass organizations, prominent figures, and campuses also join hands to help disseminate and supervise the campaigns.

The President said he had ordered relevant ministers to unveil their agenda and disclose issues on the ground.

“We want to take immediate action in response to what has happened in Jakarta that the positivity rate has risen to 10.5 percent from 4, 5 percent. This becomes our concerns,” the President said. (TGH/EN)

Translator: Muhardi
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas