Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia On the Occasion of Distribution of Productive Presidential Assistance for Micro Businesses Friday, 28 August 2020 At Yogyakarta Presidential Palace, DIY Province

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good afternoon,

May peace and prosperity be upon us all.

Distinguished Ministers of Indonesia Onward Cabinet,

Minister of State Secretary,

Minister of State-Owned Enterprises,

Distinguished Governor of Yogyakarta Special Region,

Distinguished Director of Association of State-Owned Banks (Himbara,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Business players of micro and small businesses both who are present here and virtually.

We all are aware that we are now in a condition that is not easy, a difficult condition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Let me tell you all that this difficult condition as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected both on health and economic sectors.

Indonesia is not the only country affected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. As many as 215 countries worldwide are also affected.

Rich countries or big ones are affected. Middle-income countries, developing countries are also affected. Poor countries are also affected. Small countries are also affected.

All countries are affected.

Business players worldwide are also affected. Micro and small business players are affected. Medium and big business players are also affected and are in difficult conditions. Therefore, amid conditions like this, we have to keep up the spirit and work hard. That is the key because the conditions are not easy.

 As you may be aware, following the impacts of COVID-19, the Government has launched several measures, among others direct cash assistance for villages (BLT Desa) and cash social assistance, electricity subsidies free of charge for 450VA households and a 50 percent discount for 900VA households.

There are also staple food assistance and interest subsidy as well. Yesterday, we launched a wage subsidy program. Now, we provide productive presidential assistance (Banpres). This productive presidential assistance will be distributed to micro and small businesses for all business fields.

I learnt that those present here are beverage sellers, peyek (deep-fried savory crackers with peanut) makers, batik sellers, tire repairmen, sound system renting owners, laundry owners, bakpia (mung bean pastries) sellers, fruit sellers, hawkers, angkringan (traditional street food stall) sellers, and many more.

The Government will directly provide you capital assistance for doing business worth Rp2.4 million. Please do remember that the money must be used for business capital. Amid the current situation, I know, there are those whose turnover is normally Rp500 thousand, now it is only Rp300 thousand, Rp200 thousand. As I said earlier, the situation is indeed not easy and alarming. From Rp1 million in turnover to only Rp400 thousand.

Later on, once the vaccines have been mass produced and the people start to receive vaccine, God willing, we will return to a normal life. Some time ago, Minister of SOEs travelled to the United Arab Emirates and China to ensure that we can obtain the vaccine both in the forms of raw materials that we produce here and finished products. All countries worldwide are striving for the vaccine, including the 215 countries so as to return to a normal life. I believe, God willing, we will start injecting vaccines in January so the situation will return to normal.

Let’s get back to business. Yesterday, I met with big and medium entrepreneurs. They are experiencing tough conditions. Thus, we will provide the assistance amounting to Rp2.4 million to 12 million micro and small entrepreneurs until September. So, every day the number of recipients will continue to rise until it reaches 12 million people. All of you here should be grateful that alhamdulillah you have received the assistance.

That concludes my remarks on this auspicious occasion. Once again, I order that the capital assistance be used for reopening businesses.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Translated by Muhardi
Reviewed by M. Ersan Pamungkas