Be careful while making policies, (as) once a little mistake occurs, it can be bloody, and there are already examplesJakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appealed to all ministers of the Onward Indonesia Cabinet to exercise utmost caution while formulating policies amid the current global crisis.
Widodo delivered the statement at the opening of the 2022 XVII National Conference of the National Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) in Solo, Central Java.
“Be careful while making policies, (as) once a little mistake occurs, it can be bloody, and there are already examples. I think you know. England made a few wrong policies, made a wrong policy, and the results could (be seen) everywhere. This is what we do not want. I always advise all ministers to be careful while making policies in a very vulnerable position like this," Jokowi cautioned.
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The president reminded the ministers to not commit mistakes while formulating policies, especially those impacting the lives of several people.
Jokowi emphasized that this was the reason behind him visiting markets during various trips to the regions, so that he could come up with the right policies.
“(This is) why every day, almost every week, I go to the markets. Just this morning, I also came to a market in Boyolali, and I checked what prices were going up, and what prices were stable. Thus, we can gain an understanding about it. Do not make a mistake when we make a policy," he stressed.
The president noted that Indonesia's trade balance had always been in surplus for 30 consecutive months. However, it was not the case for other countries.
"Right now, just that one issue about fuel is a cause for headache for everyone. In terms of food, everyone is lacking. In all those countries, the increase (in prices) can be 30 percent, can be 40 percent, can be 50 percent. This -- our price stability -- we can still maintain, and this is what we have to tell others. Hence, we are optimistic, but we still have to remain cautious," he noted.
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He remarked that on the other hand, Indonesia had recently completed its G20 Presidency duty in Bali. He stated that it was a mandate and a great honor for Indonesia while adding that it was currently truly at the pinnacle of global leadership, as currently, Indonesia is also the chair of ASEAN.
"What I want to remind you is that it is a matter of trust that we do not easily earn. If we are entrepreneurs, what we build is the people's trust in us. It is also how our country builds international, global trust, the trust of other countries in Indonesia," he affirmed.
President Jokowi said that building trust is not easy. The global community trusts Indonesia, as it was able to bring actual figures.
"Our economy is good. Among the G20 countries, we are among the best. This builds trust ahead. When we, as Chair of the G20, hosted the G20 Summit in Bali, that is at the time when our economy in the third quarter was at 5.72 percent. Try to compare it with other G20 countries. Our inflation is also under control, and we can also control it to a position that is still very good, at 5.7 percent. It is things like these that create global trust in us," he explained.
The president believed that the existing trust makes it easier for Indonesia to offer investment, so Indonesia should maintain and increase these good figures whilst staying cautious of the global economic landscape that could impact the national economy.
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Translator: Rangga Pandu A J, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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