Bogor, W Java (ANTARA) - The 75th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day was celebrated across the country on Monday even as the nation is striving to steer through the public health and economic crises arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic has severely affected Indonesia's economy as reflected in its GDP (Gross Domestic Product), which reportedly contracted 5.32 percent in the second quarter of this year.
At the same time, the deadly virus, which initially struck the Chinese city of Wuhan at the end of 2019 and since then spread across the rest of the world, has also infected many Indonesians over the past six months.
As of Monday (August 17, 2020), the Indonesian health authorities revealed, Indonesia's confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 141,370, with 94,458 patients making a full recovery and 6,207 others succumbing to the virus.
Prompted by the continued threat posed by COVID-19 in the country, about 135 medical workers and officials at Siti Hajar Islamic Hospital in Sidoarjo district, East Java, wore hazmat suits, face masks, and face shields during a flag-raising ceremony to commemorate Indonesia's 75th anniversary.
The wearing of red-and-white hazmat suits during the commemorative event aimed to project a message to the public at large to remain sentient of the importance of following preventive measures mandated in the government's health protocols.
"We want to send across a message of caution on the COVID-19 pandemic. We call on all community members to continue to practice preventive measures, such as wearing face masks, maintaining physical distance, and washing hands," the hospital's director, Hidayatullah, stated.
People's participation in breaking the chain of the novel coronavirus disease would contribute to the government's success in its fight against the virus.
To deal with the financial needs for the country's COVID-19 response and economic recovery, the government has issued four government bonds to Bank Indonesia with a transaction worth of Rp82.1 trillion.
The transaction was conducted under a burden-sharing scheme recently agreed upon by the government and BI, the Indonesian Finance Ministry's financing and risk management director general, Luky Alfirman, noted in a recent statement.
The government cannot handle the public health and economic crises without the solid support of and active participation from all elements of society.
Indonesia's sixth president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), has expressed confidence in the nation's capability to resolve and steer through the twin crises as long as it stands united.
“Our country is currently facing twin crises. Hence, we must remain united,” Yudhoyono stated in a video circulated by the Indonesian Presidential Secretariat to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day in Jakarta.
Yudhoyono, who led Indonesia for a decade, laid emphasis on preserving unity as the most important aspect for the nation amid the global pandemic situation.
To this end, the government must lead and assist the people, while the public, on its part, should fully support the government and fulfill mandatory duties, he said.
With God's help and the entire nation's hard work, Indonesia would be in a position to tide through this difficult time, he added.
Indonesia is the biggest country and economy in Southeast Asia. It is also a member of the G-20 along with Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.
The nation and state are mandatorily tasked with building Indonesia to become well-developed, peaceful, prosperous, and just, SBY affirmed.
"Our noble goal to become a strong and developed state in this century is not just an empty dream," he remarked while urging the entire nation to always be thankful to the Almighty God and the nation's founding fathers and leaders from different eras.
While addressing the People's Consultative Assembly's (MPR's) annual session and joint session of the House of Representatives (DPR) and Regional Representatives Council (DPD) in Jakarta on August 14, 2020, President Joko Widodo also highlighted the importance of tiding over the twin crises.
President Jokowi reiterated the criticality of tackling Indonesia's fundamental problems and making a huge leap for registering significant progress amid the far-reaching impacts and implications of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
"Our current goal is not only limited to overcoming the pandemic and getting through the crisis, but we are also taking measures to make a huge leap by capitalizing on the momentum presented by the ongoing crisis," President Jokowi emphasized.
The head of state expressed the belief that the crisis has given rise to a momentum for Indonesia to catch up and forge ahead to make a major transformation by applying grand strategies.
"We must make the most of this crisis. We must simultaneously and concurrently capitalize on this momentum. We must work towards making Indonesia stand at par with other countries. We must aspire to make our country an Advanced Indonesia," he stated.
