TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo gathered almost all of his cabinet ministers in a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday, February 25, 2020. Jokowi issued four instructions in a bid to tackle the impact of the coronavirus or Covid-19 on Indonesia's economy.

First, the President demanded all ministers to implement monetary and fiscal instruments to increase the endurance and the competitiveness of the country's economy. "I appreciate Bank Indonesia's decision to drop its benchmark interest rate and relax its monetary policy to support the national economy," Jokowi said.

The President also urged for a fiscal policy to be issued, especially on investment in the tourism sector. According to Jokowi, several tourist destinations regions such as Bali, North Sulawesi, and Riau Islands had started to take the hit following the decrease in the number of Chinese tourists in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

"I ask all to optimize domestic conference or the Meeting, Incentive, Convention, and Exhibition (MICE) tourism in those regions and increase the promotion to target international tourists who are seeking alternative destinations other than China, South Korea, and Japan," Jokowi remarked.

Moreover, the President appealed to all ministries and institutions to accelerate budget spending. Home Affairs Minister was also urged to remind regional heads about the matter. "And make sure to quicken the disbursement of village funds."

Jokowi then asserted that efforts to curb the current account deficit and trade balance deficit must be carried out seriously, effectively and continuously monitored.

AHMAD FAIZ