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President Joko Widodo addresses the East Java Regional Leadership Coordination Forum in Madiun, East Java on Friday (August 20, 2021). ANTARA/HO-Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau - 

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has said that currently, the key to economic growth lies in the successful suppression of COVID-19 cases.

He made the statement in an instructional video for the East Java Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkompinda), which was broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat in Jakarta on Friday.

He then referred to the decline in COVID-19 cases seen in February-May 2021, saying it had become apparent then that the economy was improving, as reflected by the growth of some sectors.

"Once, we reached high (daily COVID-19 cases) in the beginning of February (2021), and the next May it decreases. If it decreases, it is obviously followed by economic improvement. The economy is growing," Jokowi remarked.

As of mid-May 2021, COVID-19 spread was still under control, as shown by the average of 3,500 cases per day. But soon afterwards, there was a spike in COVID-19 cases, he said.

Some regions, including Kudus, Central Java, and Bangkalan, East Java, were labeled as red zones due to rampant COVID-19 spread, the President pointed out.

"When it (COVID-19 surge) appeared in Kudus, when it appeared in Bangkalan, all of those were beyond our prediction. Because as we see from the detection, there is (some) in Jakarta, Indramayu, and Medan. It emerges in other places, because this thing (COVID-19) can't be seen. (The cases) immediately jumped up to 56 thousand cases," he added.

The President said the COVID-19 spike at the end of May 2021 had compelled him to make a decision to suppress its spread.

"That moment, I told the National Defense Forces Commander and the National Police Chief, there is no other thing to do other than stopping this. Don't let the 80 thousand cases hike up to 160 thousand cases. Once more, be careful about this," he recalled.

He said that to ensure the economy continues to flourish, COVID-19 spread must be controlled.

During February to May 2021, when COVID-19 cases subsided, the economy in East Java had also seemed to improve, Jokowi noted.

It could be seen from the second quarter economic growth in East Java which was at 7.05 percent (yoy), he said.

"The key to economic growth today is reducing COVID-19 cases," the President stressed//ANT