I want to ensure the continuity of these prioritized programs. In their implementation, strict rules of healthcare protocols must be put in place
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The country's strategic projects should not be hindered by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic since the government is striving ceaselessly to cope with the virus' impacts, Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated.

"This morning, we are evaluating the strategic projects that are crucial for our economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic," he remarked during a virtual meeting with Vice President Ma'ruf Amin and cabinet members at the Merdeka Palace here on Friday.

Jokowi pointed to the land certification, agrarian reform, social forestry, and people's palm tree replanting programs among the projects crucial for the nation to realize equitable distribution of development and to empower the people's economy.

"I want to ensure the continuity of these prioritized programs. In their implementation, strict rules of healthcare protocols must be put in place," he emphasized.

The Coordinating Ministry for Economy noted that at least 88 of the 223 strategic projects could have been completed during the period from 2016 to 2019 in which the total worth of the projects was recorded at Rp421.1 trillion, or 10.06 percent of the total funds of Rp4,183 trillion.

The government is eyeing to complete 144 of the 223 projects worth Rp815.2 trillion, he stated, adding that the government's strategic agenda would not merely be related to the economic sector but also to the education and health ones.

In the health sector, the government has been endeavoring to lower the number of cases of children with stunted growth and fight TB, malaria, dengue fever, and HIV/AIDS, he remarked.

Coronavirus infections initially emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan at the end of 2019.

Since then, COVID-19 has spread to over 202 countries and territories, including Indonesia, with a massive spurt in death toll.

The Indonesian government officially confirmed the country's first cases on March 2 this year.

To contain the spread of the coronavirus disease, the Indonesian authorities have enforced large-scale social restrictions and distancing measures in several cities, including Jakarta, Bogor, Bekasi, Surabaya, and Makassar.

The Indonesian government has also begun enforcing a new normal amid the COVID-19 pandemic in four provinces and 25 cities and districts.

President Jokowi has also planned to expand the enforcement of the new normal order in other cities and districts in the event of a significant decline in COVID-19 transmission in those areas.

On May 26, 2020, President Jokowi spoke of the government having begun the deployment of TNI and police personnel in crowded areas in four provinces and 25 cities and districts as part of implementing the new normal.

During the same day, he reviewed preparations for enforcing standard operating procedures for the new normal and preventive measures for curbing the spread of COVID-19 in public places, such as Central Jakarta's MRT stations and shopping malls in Bekasi, West Java.
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Translator: Desca LN, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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