Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The State institutions will become strong and have authority when the people respect, put their trust in, and support them in conducting their constitutional duties, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has said.

In his annual state of the nation address to Parliament on Thursday, prior to the celebration of Indonesia`s 73rd Independence Day on August 17, the head of state remarked, "The people`s trust in State institutions is the main source of their power to advance."

The president stated that all parties should understand that criticism from the people is a way of voicing their concern and hope for the State institutions to work even harder to meet their expectations.

On the occasion, the head of state was given the opportunity by Parliament to briefly report on the performance of State institutions to the Indonesian public.

"Reporting the performance of State institutions is a good constitutional convention, allowing all Indonesian people to know what the State institutions have done," he stated.

He added that the report was intended to create a spirit of openness and accountability to increase the people`s trust in and support of State institutions.

President Jokowi said the 2018 MPR Annual Session also aimed to bring back the spirit of togetherness and unity among State institutions in facing the challenges of the nation and state, especially in fulfilling the promise of independence, as stated in the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution.

"Therefore, we must use this forum as a platform for the unity of State institutions to rebuild the people`s trust," he remarked.

Present at the forum were Vice President Jusuf Kalla and his wife Mufidah Kalla, the third Indonesian President BJ Habibie, the fifth Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri, the sixth Indonesian Vice President Try Soetrisno, the eleventh Indonesian Vice President Boediono, the chairmen of State institutions, MPR/DPR Members/DPD, ambassadors of friendly countries, and other invited guests.

Reporting by Hanni Sofia
Editing by Otniel Tamindael, Fardah

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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