Minister Thohir opined that the spirit of togetherness and collaboration was demonstrated when the Ansor Youth Movement and the private sector assisted people of the lower socio-economic class during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. He saw importance in maintaining such values, either during times of crises or when matters were normal.
“Today, it has been proven that not everything (has) to depend on the government or state-owned enterprises forever. The values of unity and collaboration, which had become engrained in everyone during COVID, are much more important, and today, we can see the result. This is owing to everyone’s contribution,” the minister noted in a written statement received here on Saturday.
Thohir lauded the Ansor Youth Movement for supporting Indonesia during the course of two years of the national and global pandemic.
Indonesia’s success in imposing community activity restrictions while concurrently pushing for economic stability was attributed to everyone’s collective hard work.
“I know for sure what the Ansor Youth Movement did alongside people, ulemas, public figures, the regional government, central government, and state-owned enterprises; i.e., collaborating in facing the COVID-19 pandemic. Immediate response as well as the central government’s commitment in imposing social and economic policies garnered positive responses from the public. Thus, we can successfully survive this pandemic,” Thohir remarked.
He expected the youth movement to support the government’s policy regarding the current positive trend in Indonesia.
“Although the phase of the endemic was forecast to be three months away, I see that people are more confident. This must be supported by the government, one of the ways being by (allowing) the Eid exodus. We not only allow them but we also provide detailed (services), so that the homecoming travel went smoothly as well as imposing health protocols (particularly the use of) masks, although one no longer needs to maintain distance. Let there be no fearmongering. Instead, we have to push for development and (encourage) people to socialize, albeit still exercising caution and embracing cooperation,” he remarked.
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Translator: Aji Cakti, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Suharto
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