VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo on Saturday highlighted the importance of fostering the spirit of "gotong royong”, or mutual cooperation, to fight the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

"The government cannot work alone. The entire nation's participation is indispensable," President Jokowi said in a video statement from the Bogor Presidential Palace as quoted by Antara.

He said the current situation has obviously left people ill at ease. But, with the spirit of "goyong royong", Indonesia would be able to come out of the current crisis, he added.

The President said he felt Indonesia would emerge as an even more powerful nation that would be better prepared for charting a brighter future.

He urged citizens to show the spirit of mutual cooperation across the country by helping one another.

"The caring and sharing movement must be made public. This is not aimed at showing off, but at keeping hope alive, and inspiring others to do the same good deeds," he noted.

President Jokowi also reiterated his call for working and studying from home, as well as performing religious obligations at home.(Antara)