Merdeka! Happy 77^th Independence Day to motherland Indonesia!

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo told the nation in his state-of-union address on Tuesday that Indonesia belongs to the world’s five most-vaccinated nations although our country is not yet a COVID-19 vaccine producer. Our economic growth is not bad, if not impressive; inflation rate is quite low; and since 2019, we have been self-sufficient in rice. And next year we can at least maintain what we have achieved now, even though the global economic slowdown is predicted to worsen.

Before you conclude that I am too pro-government, I must also point out that it is disappointing and even disturbing that the President did not say anything about the ongoing disgusting “show of force” of the National Police. The murder of Brigadier Nofriasnyah Yosua Hutabarat allegedly by former internal affairs head Insp. Gen. Ferdy Sambo on July 8 was systematically covered up by the institution. Only after public outcry and four reprimands from the President did the police chief, Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, declare Ferdy a premeditated murder suspect. But the whole picture of the affair is still far from being disclosed, despite the President’s call for transparency.

President Jokowi delivered excellent and encouraging news for the nation in his address and his speech when submitting the draft state budget for 2023 to the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Whether you like or dislike the government, we have to acknowledge that the country fares better than many other countries, including industrialized nations, in the economic and health fronts.

The President convinced us that we would face the year 2023 with more reasons to be more optimistic, although global upheavals can easily wipe out what Indonesia has now. And we need to remember that countries across the world are so interconnected now that we cannot stand alone no matter how strong we are.

Next year is also a political year ahead of the simultaneous legislative and presidential elections, when we can expect the government to run in an autopilot mode.

As regards the COVID-19 vaccination program, I am prepared to testify as to the effectiveness of the program and the preparedness of the government in dealing with infected people. Now I am still on a nine-day self-quarantine after I tested positive on Aug. 9.

PeduliLindungi, the official COVID-19 contact-tracing application on my mobile phone, automatically blacklisted me so I cannot enter public places. Thanks to the vaccine booster, I am only experiencing mild symptoms. My two unvaccinated siblings died of COVID-19 last year.

Just two days after the polymerase chain-reaction test confirmed the infection, the local puskesmas (community health center) sent me a package of medicines and checked my condition via WhatsApp messages. My PeduliLindungi later told me that after six days, I could take another PCR or wait until Aug. 9 without any PCR.

Another achievement that is worthy of celebration is Indonesia’s ability to meet the national rice demand without importing for the last three years. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) recently presented a certificate of appreciation to Indonesia for its rice self-sufficiency achievement.

The world’s plaudit recurred after 36 years. In June 1986, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) awarded then-president Soeharto a gold medal as a token of appreciation for the country’s rice self-sufficiency.

In his speech President Jokowi said Indonesia possessed four key capitals that enabled it to stay solid in facing global chaos. First is the ability to handle the COVID-19 pandemic; second, Indonesia has abundant sources of natural resources; third, its demographic bonus, where productive young age dominates the population structure; and fourth is the international trust which is increasing exponentially.

In the realm of global diplomacy, this November, Indonesia will host the summit of the world’s 20 largest economies in Bali. Western countries that previously threatened to boycott the summit when Indonesia insisted on inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to the summit have now softened their stance.

Next year Indonesia will chair the 10-member ASEAN, bringing new hopes that the regional grouping will be persistent in pushing the Myanmar junta to implement the five-point consensus that would lead the country to peace and democracy.

“We are acknowledged by major countries amid increasing geopolitical heat. The United Nations appointed Indonesia as a member of the Champions of the Global Crisis Response Group for global crisis management… It indicates that we top the global leadership and have a great opportunity to promote international cooperation,” the President underlined.

The economy appears to return to normal next year with the budget deficit set at 2.85 percent of GDP after two consecutive years of deficit above 3 percent to withstand the devastating impacts of the pandemic. The country’s GDP is expected to expand by 5.3 percent in 2023, as against 5.1-5.4 percent this year.

According to the President, the inflation rate will remain lower than the ASEAN’s average of 7 percent. Inflation will be around 3.3 percent next year, compared to the 4-4.8 percent range this year.

“Moving forward, we have to stay vigilant. The risks from global economic turbulence remain high,” the President warned, adding, “The slowdown of the global economy continues to have the potential to affect the rate of short-term national economic growth.”

Perhaps Indonesia is just lucky, but the fact is the country is doing quite okay. There are shortcomings, including the overly subsidized-fuel oil prices, but when the government increases the fuel prices, even sarcastic subsidy critics (me too!) will condemn the President’s decision.

Let us be more positive today. Look at the ordinary people in the grassroots who merrily celebrate the Independence Day despite economic hardship.

Any leaders (especially democratically elected ones) will seize opportunities, such as the state-of-union address, to show off their achievements, to disclose their wish list and to please critics by showing that their voices are heard, albeit as formality. As to dictators, they will use the podium to condemn the opposition or mock the UN or Western leaders.

To be honest, I am also doubtful about the President’s statement that he has signed a presidential decree to resolve past cases of gross human rights violations. The decree will lead to establishment of a team mandated to settle the dark past. Politically he will face severe resistance from his coalition members, although he may take a risk, because he has scored low on human rights since he assumed power in 2014.

But again, despite all the shortcomings, the President has had his say. We performed better than many other nations thanks in part to the government’s hard work. Hopefully, Indonesia will be better off next year.

Merdeka! 

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The writer is a senior editor at The Jakarta Post.