"So, it is better to be led directly by the President with the help of TNI - Polri. We have tried to handle it from lower administration, but it did not work out," Hartarto remarked during President Joko Widodo's meeting with leaders of coalition political parties on Wednesday, which was streamed on the official Youtube channel of the Presidential Secretariat on Saturday.
He was referring to the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) in Greater Jakarta, Bekasi, and Bogor district that had failed to suppress COVID-19 transmission.
Regarding economic policies, the government has carried out major reforms by implementing Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning job creation, Hartarto said.
"This is one of the biggest reforms carried out by President Jokowi," he added.
Hartarto said that Indonesia's economic growth in the coming years must be much higher than the average growth that has been achieved. This would help eradicate poverty and create many jobs so that development targets can be achieved, he added.
"Regarding the future economy, we need to achieve growth above the achievable average; the main homework is to encourage poverty reduction and employment opportunities," said Hartarto, who is also Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs.
The chairmen of several parties attended the President's meeting with the leadership of the coalition political parties — PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, accompanied by PDIP secretary-general Hasto Kristianto, Nasdem Party general chairman Surya Paloh, accompanied by Nasdem secretary-general Johnny G Plate, and Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto, accompanied by Gerindra secretary-general Ahmad Muzani.
Golkar Party general chairman Airlangga Hartarto, accompanied by Golkar secretary-general Lodewijk Paulus, PKB general chairman Muhaimin Iskandar, accompanied by PKB secretary-general Hasanuddin Wahid, PPP general chairman Suharso Monoarfa, accompanied by PPP secretary-general Arwani Thomafi, and new friends of the coalition of PAN general chairman Zulkifli Hasan and PAN secretary-general Eddy Soeparno were also present at the meeting.
Related news: Collaboration is key to effectively handling COVID-19: Minister Plate
Related news: Examine high COVID-19 death rate during PPKM: DPR Speaker
Related news: Government establishes COVID-19 National Solidarity Movement
Translator: Indra AP, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
