"The mutual assistance can be carried out to handle this pandemic. There is a responsibility and sense of belonging in the mutual assistance spirit. We have to develop that spirit again," Rismaharini said in a press release issued on Tuesday.
In efforts to handle the ongoing pandemic, the Indonesian government requires synergy from the people through the fostering of the spirit of mutual assistance in the community, she added.
"I believe this nation can solve all kinds of problems with a spirit of mutual assistance. We cannot work alone to solve the problems, especially in this pandemic," the minister observed.
The spirit of mutual assistance amid the COVID-19 pandemic can be demonstrated merely by staying at home to prevent the transmission of the disease, Rismaharini said.
She also urged citizens to send out food, medicines, and provide logistic help to neighbors undergoing self-isolation at home.
The two examples were the embodiment of the mutual assistance spirit of protecting and loving others, Rismaharini said.
"Remember when this nation was being colonized, with a limited supply of weapons and resources, we still won. It was only because of the spirit of mutual assistance that we could achieve our independence," she added.
For instance, people with money and people who know how to cook can collaborate through setting up public kitchens, and such synergy can be turned into a movement to help people, she said.
“Let's say Person A has money, Person B can cook, and Person C wants to distribute the meals. If they are synergized in a public kitchen, it will be an extraordinary help for others. So, there is no need to be afraid that this nation will collapse as long as there is a spirit of mutual assistance for others," she added.
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Translator: Devi R, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Sri Haryati
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