MPR Annual Session; Jokowi Expected to Grow Optimism Amid Pandemic

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The 2020 annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) takes place today, August 14, under strict COVID-19 protocols.

The organizing committee also shortened the time and limited the number of participants in order to prevent the potential spread of the disease caused by a new coronavirus.

The House of Representatives (DPR) speaker Puan Maharani said during the session that her side would push the government to step up the pandemic mitigation. 

“DPR highly focuses on encouraging the government to enhance COVID-19 mitigation and overcome the impacts,” said Puan on Friday, August 14.

Not only the DPR, but all parties also hoped the government would take effective and integrated measures to strengthen the handling in the health sector, social protection, economic recovery, and public service.

The MPR Annual Session and the Joint Session of DPR and DPD (regional council) began at 9 a.m. until 10:54 a.m. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo’s annual state of the nation address on the 2021 Draft State Budget (RAPBN) is scheduled at 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.

The MPR Deputy Speaker Fadel Muhammad, meanwhile, hoped the President would convey points that could raise optimism among the Indonesian people who are still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read: MPR Deputy Questions Loosening of COVID-19 Restrictions

ANTARA