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'I will bite you': Jokowi bares his teeth to those standing in the way of progress
This is not the first time Jokowi has said he would “bite” those standing in the way of Indonesia’s progress, having made the same threat in a Cabinet meeting.
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Stay focused: President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo speaks during an exclusive interview with "The Jakarta Post" in June. (The Jakarta Post/Wienda Parwitasari)
P
resident Joko "Jokowi" Widodo warned during a speech at the NasDem Party’s anniversary celebration on Monday that he would "bite" anyone who stood in his way of addressing the country’s problems.
"Don't try to stop me from resolving the problems I mentioned earlier. I will definitely bite [you] in my own way," Jokowi said as reported by tempo.co.
Jokowi was referring to his efforts to reduce the country's current account and trade deficits. He said he had asked his ministers to inspect Indonesia’s exports and imports in order to address external pressures on the economy.
"If we show consistency, I am sure this disease [trade deficit] can be resolved in the next three to four years," he said.
One step, he added, would be to reduce oil imports by increasing domestic oil production, building refineries and producing biofuels such as B20, B30 and B100.
"Don't fool around with what I mentioned before. I don't want to keep on importing," Jokowi said. "As I have said [many times], including in internal meetings: Don't try to obstruct me."
This is not the first time Jokowi has said he would “bite” those standing in the way of Indonesia’s progress, having made the same threat in a Cabinet meeting. (kmt)
