Jokowi noted during his state address at the annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) here on Friday that the COVID-19-induced economic crisis should be viewed as an opportunity to make a major overhaul and to implement major strategies in the fields of economy, law, governance, social, culture, health, and education.
"We must transform this crisis into an opportunity to make big leaps," Jokowi emphasized.
The head of state warmly welcomed the moral appeals, replete with wisdom, put forth by ulemas, religious leaders, and culture bearers to put to advantage the pandemic to usher in a new awakening to make major leaps
Jokowi noted that 75 years since Indonesia gained independence, it has confidently emerged an upper-middle income nation.
"Hence, 25 years from now, at the centenary of the Republic of Indonesia, we must achieve great progress and make Indonesia a developed country," he remarked.
The head of state drew a parallel between the current economic situation and a computer crash in which countries are currently facing stagnation.
All countries should undergo a brief process of shutdown, restart, and reboot. All nations have the opportunity to reset all the systems, he affirmed.
The head of state believes that the ongoing economic crisis is the worst-ever to have occurred in history.
"In the first quarter of 2020, our economy grew by 2.97 percent, but in the second quarter, it contracted by 5.32 percent," he pointed out.
According to the WHO, as of Aug 13, over 20 million cases worldwide were recorded, with the total number of deaths reaching 737 thousand.
All countries, be it underdeveloped, developing, or developed, have been experiencing setbacks brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Economies of developed nations also registered a negative growth, reaching more than -10 to -17 percent. The setbacks experienced by several developed countries can serve as a momentum to catch up, he stated. Related news: Govt accelerates absorption of budget to boost economy
Related news: Indonesian economy to contract 0.49 percent this year: minister
Reporter: Sri Haryati
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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