"Do not let the economic activity stop, everyone will be affected," he said after attending the Regional Inflation Control Meeting in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Karnavian also asked all regional governments to take proactive steps to boost their local economy.
According to him, economic activity must return to normal, as people's livelihoods depend on a healthy economy.
"We are encouraging economic activity at all regions to continue because this concerns the public interest," he emphasized.
In order to restore regional economic activity, Karnavian asked regions to immediately repair public facilities damaged by anarchistic actions by irresponsible mob, since public facilities also support economic activity.
The minister explained that the budget for these repairs can be sourced from the regional budget.
Furthermore, funding can also be accessed from mutual cooperation, for example, assistance from well-off communities.
"If the regional budget cannot help, it can be carried out through grant mechanisms. For example, grants from the provincial government or from other districts with stronger fiscal budgets," Karnavian explained.
He added that the central government has not ruled out the possibility of contributing to the repairs. The government is currently coordinating to identify which regions are capable to make repairs independently and which require assistance, including calculating the total national losses.
The wave of demonstrations sparked after the death of a ride-hailing motorcycle driver, Affan Kurniawan on August 28, after he was run over by the police armored vehicle.
Protests leading to riots took place in Jakarta, East Java, and Makassar, with the burning of the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) building, bus stops, toll gates, and even the Grahadi State Building, a cultural heritage site in Surabaya, East Java.
The Ministry of Public Works estimates total infrastructure losses at nearly Rp900 billion (US$53 million), with East Java and Makassar being the most affected areas.
In response to this situation, President Prabowo Subianto declared a state of emergency and instructed accelerated repairs.
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Translator: Fianda Sjofjan, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Arie Novarina
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