Jokowi and interfaith leaders discuss new normal

JAKARTA: President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) held discussions with eight interfaith leaders representing Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism over the government’s preparations to enforce a new normal amid the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

At the meeting held at the Merdeka Palace here, Jokowi sought opinions from the interfaith leaders on imposition of new normal procedures at houses of worship in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the company of Vice President Ma’ruf Amin and State Secretary Pratikno, Jokowi drew emphasis to the fact that the Covid-19 outbreak was not solely a public health issue but it also had socio-economical repercussions on communities owing to its wide-ranging impacts on other sectors of life.

On account of the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic, the Indonesian government has taken the decision to not send its Hajj pilgrims to the holy city of Mecca during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage season.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Electrifying windows of opportunity in Sabah - The right policies, collaborations, and strategies can turn emerging opportunities into victories for all parties in Sabah.

CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor’s 2021 Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya Plan and the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) have laid out a road map to an exciting future for all Sabahans, with a target of increasing Sabah’s income levels and GDP per capita from about RM 23,000 to about RM 40,000 by 2030.

Interfaith leaders Helmi Faishal Zaini of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Abdul Mu’ti from Muhammadiyah, KH. Muhyiddin Junaidi of the Indonesian Ulema Council, Pdt. Gomar Gultom of PGI, and Ignatius Kardinal Suharyo of KWI attended the meeting with Jokowi.

At the meeting, Wisnu Bawa Tenaya represented the Indonesian Hindu Council (PHDI) while Arief Harsono from the Indonesian Buddist Association (Permabudhi), and Xs. Budi Santoso Tanuwibowo of the Indonesian Confucian High Council (Matakin).

The Indonesian government has begun enforcing a new normal amid the Covid-19 pandemic in four provinces and 25 cities and districts.

Jokowi has also planned to expand the enforcement of the new normal order in other cities and districts in the event of a significant decline in Covid-19 transmission in those areas.

On May 26, 2020, Jokowi spoke of the government having begun the deployment of TNI and police personnel in crowded areas in four provinces and 25 cities and districts as part of implementing the new normal.

During the day, he reviewed preparations for enforcing standard operating procedures for the new normal and preventive measures for curbing the spread of Covid-19 in public places, such as Central Jakarta’s MRT stations and shopping malls in Bekasi, West Java.

Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.

Daily Express Malaysia

Coronavirus infections initially emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan at the end of 2019.

Since then, Covid-19 has spread to over 215 countries and territories, including Indonesia, with a massive spurt in death toll. The Indonesian government officially confirmed the country’s first cases on March 2 this year.

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00