Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) urged all elements in the country to utilize the same strength they channeled into handling COVID-19 to tackle the country's other big challenges, such as reducing stunting and extreme poverty.

The government aims to eradicate extreme poverty, from four percent, or 10.86 million people, in 2021 to zero by 2024. In order to reduce stunting, the government is targeting a stunting prevalence of 14 percent in 2024.

"In addition, this power can help to handle other diseases, such as tuberculosis, liver disease, and stunting as well as to increase food productivity," he noted at the "COVID-19 Handling Award" event at the Finance Ministry's office in Jakarta on Monday.

He remarked that based on the presentation of Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom, Indonesia is one of the best countries in handling COVID-19 in the world as well as one of the countries with the highest vaccination coverage.

In addition, the results of a report from John Hopkins University noted that Indonesia is one of the best countries in the world to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases, he noted.

"Obviously, we have succeeded in reducing the transmission rate and mortality and were able to maintain stability and economic growth. Our economic growth last year was recorded at 5.31 percent," Jokowi explained.

He observed that Indonesia's success in dealing with COVID-19 came from the hard work of all elements in the country. He also noted that several parties also worked beyond their scope, including the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) in the defense and security aspects.

Hence, the president urged the nation's elements to synergize from the central government to the regions, ministries and institutions, the House of Representatives (DPR), Indonesia's Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), and the public to handle other big agendas.

"This is what we need. We must stay strong to handle other big agendas like what we did during COVID-19," he stated.

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Translator: Mentari Dwi G, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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