VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said the Covid-19 pandemic had pushed reforms in several fields in Indonesia, although there are downsides.

"Despite that Covid-19 has been very painful for everyone, this is also a blessing for us because we can carry out many reforms in Indonesia," he said in front of investors and representatives of the Australian government, in Jakarta, on Friday.

Several reforms, including in the fields of health to energy. Luhut also often says that reforms are because of pandemic conditions, for example, Indonesia, which was previously heavily dependent on imports, has now encouraged independence to supply its own domestic pharmaceutical needs.

"So after Covid-19, we can start vaccinating the public at the end of this year, so Indonesia will be better next year," he said.

Luhut also encouraged Australian investors to immediately realize their investment. This Friday morning, he signed an agreement with the Australian iron ore industry company Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) to develop renewable energy to support the green industry.

FMG will invest in the construction of 60 GW of hydroelectric power and 25 GW of renewable energy from geothermal power in the country.

"We want to see the execution as soon as possible," he added.

According to Luhut, Indonesia and Australia have the potential for minerals and renewable energy so they can collaborate and become key players in the global green and renewable energy industry.

The former Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law, and Security also said that collaboration is an important thing to do in tough times such as the current Covid-19 pandemic.

He believes the agreement promotes sustainable development that combines economic development, social progress, and environmental protection.

"This agreement also strengthens President Joko Widodo's policy of bringing together economic recovery measures as the key ingredient of our fight against the pandemic," he said.

Besides the signing of the agreement deed, a Letter of Intent (LoI) was also signed between the two parties to reduce plastic waste leakage into Indonesian waters.

The signing of the LoI was carried out by the Deputy for Coordination of Environment and Forestry Management at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment Nani Hendiarti and Andrew Forrest. (Antaranews)