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We are all brothers: Jokowi
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo arrive in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on May 15. Jokowi attended the opening of the 19th Indonesian Islamic Students Movement (PMII) Congress at Darussalam Grand Mosque in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on May 16. (Courtesy of the Presidential Office/File)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has called on all citizens to stop accusing, insulting, slandering and protesting against each other.
“Don't forget to maintain unity because we are all brothers. We will run out of energy if we have to continuously deal with demonstrations,” the President said in his remarks during the opening of the 19th Indonesian Islamic Students Movement (PMII) Congress at Darussalam Grand Mosque in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on Tuesday.
Jokowi later asked all political elites to set a good example and convey their words appropriately.
“Give good and polite statements because this is the character of our nation. Don’t let us lose our identity and character because our nation is widely known as a nation that is friendly, polite and well-mannered,” said the President.
Jokowi said he was sad to see people constantly staging rallies across the country. “It seems we have forgotten that we are all brothers both as Muslims and as people living in one country and as a nation. This is really counterproductive.”
“Just ask National Police chief [Gen. Tito Karnavian] about the billions [of rupiahs] that have been wasted to deploy police personnel to secure the rallies,” Jokowi said.
The President said he hoped PMII members would long to become not only politicians but also entrepreneurs because, currently, entrepreneurs comprise only 1.6 percent of Indonesia's population. Ideally, more than five percent of the country’s population should become entrepreneurs, he said.
Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani, Research and Technology and Higher Education Minister Muhammad Nasir, Regional Representative Council (DPD) Speaker Oesman Sapta Odang and Central Sulawesi Governor Longki Djanggola accompanied President Jokowi in the visit. (foy/ebf)
