TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo demanded a number of national strategic projects to be continued albeit in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic as they are vital and must not be suspended.

“I ask the ongoing national strategic programs that directly affect the people’s economy and the recovery of the national economy to be prioritized,” said the president while opening a limited meeting via a teleconference today, May 29.

He noted that several projects are necessary for the equality and strengthening of people’s economy, such as land certifications, legalization of transmigration lands, agrarian reform, social forestry, and rejuvenation of people’s plantations.

“I want these priority programs to be continued but still under the strict health protocols,” he added, outlining that the projects are not only in the economic sector, but also other fundamental sectors of education, human resources, and health.

In the health sector, Jokowi reiterated, the government still has big agendas to reduce the stunting rate and eliminate tuberculosis (TBC), malaria, dengue fever, HIV/AIDS, and others related to a healthy lifedata-style.

“This means we need to focus on mitigating and controlling Covid-19, but other strategic agendas that have a major impact on people’s lives must not be set aside.”

EGI ADYATAMA