VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) affirmed that the government will continue to distribute various forms of social assistance through programs, with better synergy between related stakeholders.

"The government will continue to disburse various (forms of) social assistance with better synergy. We will also improve training programs and assistance for workers," the president noted during his state address at the 2022 annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the Joint Session of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) at the Parliamentary Complex, Jakarta, Tuesday.

Until August 2022, the government had disbursed social assistance in the form of the Family Hope Program (PKH) to 10 million beneficiaries' families, basic food cards for 18.8 million beneficiaries' families, pre-employment cards for around 2.9 million participants, direct village cash assistance (BLT), and cash assistance for street vendors and stalls.

In addition, President Jokowi highlighted that training and assistance programs for workers will continue to be offered to fishermen, farmers, informal workers, and people with disabilities.

Moreover, the president stated that Indonesia had successfully hosted the XI ASEAN Para Games in Solo, Central Java, and emerged as the overall champion.

"Regarding disability, we just hosted the ASEAN Para Games in Solo, and thank God, we became the champion," he stated.

Indonesia managed to emerge as the overall champion in the 2022 ASEAN Para Games, with 175 gold medals, 144 silver medals, and 106 bronze medals.

While delivering his state address, President Jokowi wore Paksian traditional clothing from Bangka Belitung Province.

The traditional clothing was dominated by the color green and bore the pattern of pucuk rebung, or bamboo shoots. The pattern symbolizes harmony, while the color green in philosophy exudes a sense of coolness and signifies hope and growth.

After delivering the state speech, the president will later give a speech on the government's statement on the Financial Note and the 2023 State Budget Bill. (Antaranews)