Jokowi convinces and comforts a weary nation

Merdeka salute: President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo greets the audience before delivering his state of union address on Aug 16. — Courtesy of Press Bureau of Presidential Secretariat/JP/ANN

WEARING the traditional attire of the Baduy tribe, which inhabits a remote area of Banten, and mountain sandals, Indonesia’s President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo tried not to show that he was bearing a huge burden as he delivered the state of union address at a session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Monday.

The Covid-19 pandemic has been so devastating to the nation that no one knows when we will win the war on the deadly virus. In his speech to mark the 76th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence, the president attempted to convince Indonesians, many of whom had been losing faith in his ability to lead them out of the nightmare, that the country was on the right track to victory over the pandemic.