VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) called on all parties to welcome 2022 with new enthusiasm and hard work to realize the vision of Advanced Indonesia.

President Jokowi noted that numerous challenges in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recession, and uncertainty had plagued the Indonesian nation in 2021.

"In the wake of these challenges, let us welcome the new year 2022 with new enthusiasm and hard work to achieve Advanced Indonesia," the president noted through his official Instagram account @jokowi as quoted here on Saturday.

Jokowi remarked that these challenges had strengthened and united the Indonesian nation.

"All these challenges have forged this great nation and strengthened and united us,” he remarked.

The president had earlier noted on Friday that in 2021, the Indonesian nation faced two major challenges, especially breaking the virus chain and maintaining economic growth.

President Jokowi pressed for optimally handling the pandemic and economic problems, so they can be resolved quickly. He noted that the intensity of the pandemic had, so far, weakened.

"Several hospitals are currently more flexible in handling patients with non-COVID-19 diseases. This is all thanks to the active contribution of all of us in complying with health protocols and accelerating vaccinations," he emphasized.

The head of state spoke of the government having administered 273 million vaccine doses as of December 30, with 160 million people having received the first dose of vaccine and 113 million people given the full dose of the vaccine.

 Meanwhile, overall, the government is targeting to administer the full vaccine dose to 208 million people.

In the meantime, speaking in connection with the economic challenges, the president noted that Indonesia had experienced a recession, a decline in economic growth, an economic slowdown in several sectors, and high uncertainty in almost all sectors. However, through passion and hard work, the Indonesian people were able to survive the ordeal.

The Indonesian economy, in the second quarter of 2021, grew by 3.51 percent as compared to the previous year. However, the pandemic has created a new era of digital civilization. "For example, E-commerce was valued at US$24.8 billion this year," the president noted on his Instagram social media account @jokowi. (Antaranews)