Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia in Welcoming 2021 Thursday, 31 December 2020 at the State Palace, Jakarta

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

May prosperity be upon us all,

Om Swastiastu,

Namo Buddhaya,

Greetings of virtue.

Ladies and Gentlemen, my fellow countrymen,

Soon we will leave 2020. We will remember 2020 as a very tough year.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a world health crisis and a world economic crisis that hit 215 countries. The total number of global positive cases of COVID-19 has reached 82 million with 1.8 million people dead. Many people lost their jobs, many people lost their livelihoods which makes 2020 the most severe crisis in world history.

Indonesia also experiences this difficult time, a very tough test. But we still have to be grateful, alhamdulillah, we were able to face it with toughness. We can still run the wheel of life. We are able to adapt to new ways so that we can limit this pandemic while solving the economic problems one by one.

Entering 2021, I believe that our country, Indonesia, will be able to rise and make innovations. The economic recovery has gradually improved, starting from the third and fourth quarters of 2020. New investments are starting to emerge that will drive the economy of the people and industries in the future, so that job opportunities will increase and people’s welfare will improve.

But that does not mean the problem is over. There is one condition, the most important condition that we must follow to achieve this recovery. We must succeed in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. We must be able to stop this pandemic immediately. This is indeed no easy task.

Therefore, the Government will continue to work hard to control the COVID-19 cases. Vaccinations will also be carried out immediately in mid-January 2021 to achieve herd immunity (communal immunity) so that we can stop the spread of COVID-19.

Finally, I ask all citizens to continue to be disciplined in controlling the spread of the COVID-19. Everyone must be disciplined. Follow health protocols; wear a mask, keep distance, and wash hands. Do not be careless, do not take it lightly. With public health recovering, world confidence will increase, economic recovery will be realized in 2021. Together we will be able to overcome this tough test. 2021 will become a historical record as the year of restoration of our lives.

Happy New Year 2021, may God Almighty give His grace and guidance to all of us.

Thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh,

Om Santi Santi Santi Om. (EW/MUR)