Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Media Group News Summit: Indonesia 2021, Wednesday, 27 January 2021 From the Merdeka Palace, DKI Jakarta Province

Bismillahirrahmnirrahim,

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Peace and prosperity be upon us all,

Shalom,

Om Swastiastu,

Namo Buddhaya,

Greetings of virtue.

Distinguished Mr. Surya Paloh, ranks and leaders of the Media Group,

Distinguished Ministers of Indonesia Onward Cabinet,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Esteemed Guests.

In the past one year, we have experienced very difficult and tough challenges. We are facing a double disruption. We are still struggling to adapt to the fourth technological disruption. We must also face disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All countries worldwide, including Indonesia, are experiencing this difficult time. As many as 215 countries are experiencing this trying time. We must resolve health and economic crises at once. The gas and brake strategy must be executed properly. This is no easy task. Health and economic handling is equally important, equally strategic.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Esteemed Guests,

Our short-term agenda to kick off this year is to carry out immediate mass vaccination. Vaccination is one of the priority policies and the Government is keen to work immediately to secure hundreds of millions of doses of vaccine amid the dominance of developed countries in securing the vaccine.

We must prepare the infrastructure, data and vaccinators. We already have approximately 30,000 vaccinators and other aspects have also been well-prepared. We are working on this mass vaccination immediately to achieve herd immunity.

Nevertheless, I also want to remind you that we must continue to observe 3T: Testing, Tracing, and Treatment, as well as to raise alertness on health facility. We must stay disciplined in observing health protocols. This 3M discipline (using a face mask, washing hands with soap, maintaining a safe distance) must be continuously strengthened.

We must create synergy between elements (of the government), starting from top levels in the province such as governors, regents, mayors to lower levels such as village heads, neighborhood unit (RT) heads and community unit (RW) heads. They must get involved to boost discipline in implementing health protocols.

We will continue to carry out economic recovery programs that have showed positive results in 2020. We will continue to safeguard the economy, which is showing a slight improvement. As you may be aware, in December last year, the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) indicators that have entered the expansion zone was recorded at 51.3, a figure just as before the pandemic hit.

Indonesia’s Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) and commodity prices are also gradually improving and rising, driven by improved demand. In December 2020, the country’s CCI was recorded at 96.5, an increase from that of the previous month at 92.

Exports in nickel and copper have also risen significantly as a potential commodity for future development of lithium battery industry.

Positive trend is also visible on the financial market, among others, reflected in the Composite Stock Price Index (JCI) which was already at a level above 6,000 and the stable Rupiah exchange rate in the range of around Rp14,000 per US dollar.

The national economic recovery program aimed to protect the public and businesses from the throes of the pandemic will continue to be put in place in a measured manner. The strategic policies for the 2021 State Budget are directed at boosting accelerated recovery and economic transformation, particularly through education, health, protection, infrastructure, food security, information technology and tourism sectors.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Even though we are working hard to curb the pandemic, we must continue to develop appropriate medium -, long-term strategies. We continue to push for structural reforms, while continuing to mitigate the pandemic and to safeguard economic recovery. The key to structural reforms lies in a more efficient and productive economic transformation and greater competitiveness and investment.

We have restarted our structural reform measures through the Job Creation Law. And, the Government Regulations and Presidential Regulations required for implementation are already in the finalization stage and maybe in the next few weeks it will be finalized. And the Government will ensure that its implementation runs well so that its noble objectives to create jobs, facilitate job creation, and eradicate corruption can be materialized.

Both domestic investors and foreign investors have shown their rising enthusiasm following the issuance of this Job Creation Law. Investments that create jobs whose products are competitive in the global market and are environmentally friendly will become our priority. This means that we must be investment friendly and environmentally friendly at the same time.

Blessed with abundant natural resources, Indonesia has a great opportunity in developing its upstream and downstream industries. We must anticipate that green products, low carbon green economy and efficient resources will be the prima donna of the industry in years to come.

This green economy will merge with the spirit of being socially inclusive. The spirit to improve social equality, reduce environmental risks and become efficient resources. We will continue to keep the spirit alive.

We are currently starting to enter into global supply chains for a green economy. We are working on the lithium battery industry processed from our own natural resources as well as electric car industry on a large scale so that it will immediately operate in Indonesia. And this will be a signal that Indonesia will become a driver for the development of an influential and respected future industry.

Equally important in the future economy is digital economy. The Industrial Revolution 4.0 with digitization acting as the main foundation has prompted us to make the most of digitization in all aspects of our lives. We have become a global player in the digital economy; yet, I remind you that the spirit is an inclusive economy, mutual benefit for the development of our micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) so that no one will be left behind in every step of Indonesia’s progress.

That concludes my remarks on this auspicious opportunity.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh,

Om Santi Santi Santi om,

Namo Buddhaya.