TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo reminded state officials to have a sense of crisis amidst a global economic and political crisis.

"We must have a sense of crisis. It’s not business as usual," said the President during the opening of the National Development Planning Discussion on Thursday, April 28, 2022. "We all must hone this trait and make better planning, there must be a scenario that fits this uncertain situation."

Jokowi believed that the country will be faced with situations that are challenging in 2022 and the following year as the global supply chain is still hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.

"Problems in the supply chain affect broad aspects. The war between Russia and Ukraine has also sparked energy and food crises. Global inflation has increased exponentially, adding to the global economic growth that has slowed down," said Jokowi.

President Jokowi's explanation is intended to provide insight for everyone in the event to make detailed calculations regarding various aspects. "We must be really prepared if this crisis continues to next year," Jokowi asserted.

Indonesia, said Jokowi, in the midst of the current turmoil, is still showing a positive trend. He announced that a trade balance surplus in February 2022 of USD 3.82 billion and March 2022 of USD 4.5 billion.

FAIZ ZAKI