TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The President's Spokesperson Fadjroel Rachman has stated that President Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, has agreed to cancel the National Examination (UN) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This decision is part of the COVID-19 outbreak response system, one of which is the prioritization of the Indonesian people's health and safety. As it has been said, the COVID-19 response system must protect the people's health, social endurance and commerce industry," Fadjroel said in a written statement, on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

The cancellation of the National Examination, added Fadjroel, is part of the social distancing policy, geared to curb the transmission of the COVID-19 outbreak. This affirmation was conveyed by President Joko Widodo in a limited video conference meeting discussing the National Examination, on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

"The National Exams are cancelled for Senior High School (SMA) or Madrasah Aliyah (MA), Junior High School (SMP) or Madrasah Tsanawiyah (MTs), and Elementary School (SD) or Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (MI)," stated Fadjroel.

The cancellation of the National Examination, continued Fadjroel, needs to be followed by the active participation of the Indonesian people in the application of social distancing behaviors, including working from home, learning from home and praying at home.

DEWI NURITA | DIO SUHENDA (INTERN TRANSLATOR)