By: Muhammad Zaki )*
The Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia (HUT RI) should be used as a momentum to unite to realize a Tough and Growing Indonesia. This message was conveyed by President Jokowi in his state address on August 16, 2021 .
The President’s speech is the moment the public has been waiting for as they await the government’s advice and next steps. Including a speech by President Jokowi 16 A Gustus 2021, when he was attending the annual session of the MPR. The speech was broadcast live on television and several Youtube accounts.
President Jokowi in his speech raised the theme of the pandemic. According to him, a pandemic is fire but it has two sides, it can burn and also illuminate. Fire can inspire so that we continue to introspect and evaluate in the future. In a sense, the pandemic is an important moment to continue to be vigilant and see what mistakes have been made, so that they don’t happen again.
President Jokowi added that the pandemic is like a candradimuka crater that tests, teaches, and sharpens. The pandemic provides a heavy burden as well as tests fortitude and patience. In a sense, we can see the positive side of the pandemic, namely being able to pass the test of patience and continue to be steadfast in the face of bad things.
Candradimuka crater is a place that is told in wayang stories, where the knights are entered but after coming out will increase their magic. J ika pandemics are like that, then he is to make us stronger. After the pandemic, we can be more compact and strong, and not easily give up.
Don’t give up easily during a pandemic because when humans lose hope in life, it’s like living unwilling to die. We must be optimistic that the pandemic will end soon and remain patient, because this test is given so that the heart becomes more patient and steadfast. Doesn’t God not give a test that exceeds the ability of His servant? So we are obliged to continue to think positive.
In addition, President Jokowi also advised to continue to unite to fight the corona and its negative effects. In a sense, this rogue virus can go far if all Indonesian citizens are united in overcoming it. The simplest example is by reminding each other when someone forgets not to wear a mask or the mask is not worn in the correct position.
Unity in overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic can also be done from the smallest environment. For example, when a neighbor is self- isolating , the RT arranges for all residents to take turns sending dishes for them 3 times a day, because it is not necessarily strong for those who get corona to cook for themselves. If you order delivery from a restaurant, they don’t necessarily have enough money.
The community can also be united during a pandemic by promoting the 10M health protocol. The increased protocol points, from 3M, to 5M, then to 10M must be disseminated via social media or WA groups. Residents are invited to live clean and maintain health by diligently exercising even at home and eating vegetables, fruit, and drinking 2 liters of mineral water a day.
Solidarity must be done so that the pandemic can be quickly resolved, because like a broom stick, when they are not united, everything will fall apart. We can prove that in difficult circumstances, we will remain solid and help each other among residents. Get rid of selfishness for a while.
Finally, President Jokowi advised to face a world full of disruption, alias changes that could eat up technology or things that were old in the past. For example, in the past, communication was using letters, but now it can be via WA or e-mail so that correspondence is increasingly rare. Currently, trading is booming via the internet because traditional markets are limited in their opening hours.
To face the era of disruption, during a pandemic we must learn new things and don’t be lazy to keep upgrading ourselves. This is a good moment to continue to grow and look for new business opportunities. Do phon r ah granted.
President Jokowi’s message in his annual speech is very appropriate and the people are satisfied because he has blown the fire of optimism into their chests. We must not be confused and lethargic but still work hard and work hand in hand during the pandemic.
)* The author is a contributor to the Press Circle and Cikini Students
