VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (right), accompanied by head of Bio Farma’s pharmaceutical production division, Hikmat Alitamsar, (left), inspects production facility building 43, which will be used to produce the COVID-19 vaccine, at the Bio Farma office, Bandung, West Java on Tuesday (August 11, 2020). (ANTARA/ Documentation of PT Bio Farma / pras)

President Joko Widodo on Wednesday said the coronavirus pandemic has reminded the nation and the state of the importance of science and technology.

The President made the statement at the commemoration ceremony for the 59th Scout Day, broadcast online from the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday.

At the ceremony, the President advised all scout members to work towards mastering science and technology, as well as inculcating discipline and concern for all members of society.

"Solving health problems requires mastery of science and technology, solving economic problems also requires science and technology," he said.

Presidential chief of staff, Moeldoko, and Minister of Youth and Sports, Zainudin Amali, also attended the ceremony, which was organized with the observance of COVID-19 prevention protocols.

The President said that scout members were equipped with discipline and concern for the community. In the future, with the challenges of increasingly fierce international competition, scout members must also master science and technology, he added.

"Remember that the challenges you face will be more severe and complex. The world is changing rapidly and is full of uncertainty. The future will be much different than today," he remarked.

Therefore, he said, scout members must study, gain knowledge to the highest possible level, and continue to care for diversity, Pancasila, and the integrity of the Republic of Indonesia.

"You have to prove your resilience in your pursuit of knowledge. Be an enlightening future generation that continues to build hopes for the glory of Indonesia," the head of state said.

The Scout Day commemoration ceremony is usually held on August 14, but this year, the President is scheduled to give a state speech at the House of Representatives (DPR) and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on the same day. Therefore, the ceremony was held on Wednesday instead. (ANTARA)