Each test strengthens the social, political, and economic foundations of our nationJakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) called attention to the tough and testing times that Indonesia endured while expressing gratitude over the nation having succeeded in overcoming all challenges.
The President highlighted his reflection during his state address at the annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and Joint Session of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) at the Parliamentary Complex, here, Monday.
"Thank God, we managed to get past it. Our independence was not a gift, but we won it through struggle in all fields," President Jokowi affirmed.
Jokowi highlighted that the people's wars, guerrilla warfare, and diplomacy on all fronts had resulted in shaping Indonesia to becoming an independent nation.
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The head of state also emphasized that the country had also overcome the recession and crises that struck repeatedly after its independence.
"Each test strengthens the social, political, and economic foundations of our nation," Jokowi reiterated.
The president later affirmed that all stood to learn from each stage while concurrently bringing about improvements in life.
The COVID-19 pandemic has left people with no choice but to change, develop new ways, abandon irrelevant old habits, and make challenging breakthroughs, according to Jokowi.
“We are compelled to develop new normal habits and do things that were considered taboo for a long time. Wearing masks, maintaining distance, not shaking hands, and not crowding are new habits that were earlier considered taboo," he remarked.
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The head of state noted that working from home, online shopping, online learning, as well as online meetings and hearings had become the new way of living for Indonesians.
In the midst of a disruptive world, adaptive characteristics, which are innovative, are the foundation for building an advanced Indonesia, he pointed out.
"We have striven to adapt to new ways in this era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, so that we can work more effectively, efficiently, and productively. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, accelerating innovation has increasingly become integrated into our daily lives," Jokowi stated.
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Translator: Hanni S, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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