Indonesia has gone through difficult times during the COVID-19 pandemic and faced the threat of an economic recession. The enthusiasm of the residents at the turn of the year is an asset in facing new challenges.
By
Kompas Team
·6 minutes read
FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN
Thousands of residents watched the fireworks display around the Hotel Indonesia (HI) roundabout, Central Jakarta, Sunday (1/1/2023).
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin have called on the public to move forward on new challenges. Achievements in coping with various disasters in the past has given Indonesia lessons in strengthening and uniting its people. All of these are required in coping with new challenges.
"Let's welcome new hopes, challenges and opportunities. Stay together in entering the 2023 year toward an advanced Indonesia," said President Joko Widodo on his social media page on Sunday (1/1/2023).
Previously, on the eve of the New Year, the President said there was much to be remembered from 2022. There was some joy, but there was also some unpleasant news.
According to President Jokowi, the nation was quite successful in getting through difficult times when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and when it faced the threat of an economic recession. The Indonesian economy grew positively throughout the year.
The Indonesian presidency in the Group of 20 Summit also went well. Domestic politics and security were quite conducive. The development of infrastructure and human resources is proceeding according to plan.
However, in 2022 several areas were hit by natural disasters such as floods, landslides and earthquakes.
“All the good and less pleasant news come and go, giving us a lesson to further strengthen and unite us at the same time. With all of this in mind, we will leave 2022 and enter 2023 with the determination to bring Indonesia further forward,” said President Jokowi.
In a recorded speech in welcoming the 2023 New Year, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said there were many stories and experiences in 2022 that could be used as lessons in 2023.
KOMPAS
President Joko Widodo wishes all Indonesians a Happy New Year 2023 and invites the public to participate in advancing Indonesia.
Enthusiasm for the New Year
Vice President Amin also advised all people to continue to promote enthusiasm in developing the country.
"In welcoming the 2023 New Year, let's stay enthusiastic about working on the development in our beloved country, Indonesia, by continuing to foster optimism and belief in a better future with the help of Allah SWT, God Almighty," said Vice President Amin.
Vice President Amin believes that the hard work of all elements of society will bring prosperity for all people. “Happy New Year 2023 to all of us. Keep maintaining health protocols, including in celebrating the turn of this year, for our safety. May Allah SWT, God Almighty, always bless all our efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous Indonesia," said Vice President Amin.
High enthusiasm
The high enthusiasm of citizens welcoming the new year was present in various cities. It is understandable, because in the last two years, the New Year celebrations were limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As is known, at the turn of 2023 there no longer were restrictions on people's gatherings and mobility. This is in line with the government's decision to remove the restrictions on community activities (PPKM) on Dec. 30, 2022.
One of the places visited by residents to spend New Year's Eve was Surakarta City Hall. Residents started coming in droves on Saturday (31/12/2022) at 7 p.m. As the night progressed, more and more people came.
"I am really happy. Finally, the celebration can be held together like this. Hopefully in the future, it can be held even livelier. It's really an entertainment because in the past two years, the celebrations were quiet,” said Indriyanti, 33, a resident of Jebres district, Surakarta city, who came with her husband and child to Surakarta City Hall.
Crowds of people celebrating New Year's Eve were also seen in Jakarta at the Bundaran Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, Jl. Sudirman, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) in East Jakarta and Taman Impian Jaya Ancol in North Jakarta.
Firework displays were held in a number of regions in Indonesia. Various events were carried out by residents in various regions to celebrate the turn of the year.
In Kupang city, East Nusa Tenggara, for example, a number of families welcomed 2023 by chanting prayers, asking for God's protection in the new year.
Meanwhile, artists in Jambi Tulo village, Maro Sebo district, Muaro Jambi, performed the old Malay tradition of gambangan and prayers to welcome the 2023 New Year.
KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA
Officers brought residents using rubber boats to avoid flooding that inundated Kaligawe, Semarang City, Central Java, Monday (2/1/2023).
Extreme weather
Despite being lively, the New Year celebrations were held amid rains and strong winds as the effects of extreme weather. In Malang, East Java, a number of trees fell and the roofs of several buildings were damaged in at least eight locations on Saturday (31/12).
Many trees fell on Jl. Kiai Malik Dalam, the Trowulan Temple, Jl. Major General Sungkono and at Cengger Ayam. The roofs of several houses were damaged due to strong winds on Jl. Dirgantara Raya, Kedungkandang district and Jl. Kembang Turi, Lowokwaru.
"The potential for strong winds, floods and heavy rains as the impact of La Nina must always be anticipated,” the Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) stated. For this reason, the community is expected to always be responsive. Villagers must stay alert at all times," said Prayitno, acting head of the Malang City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), on Saturday.
In Semarang, a number of areas on the north coast of Central Java were inundated by floods of up to 70 centimeters on Saturday, due to rains since Friday.
In Central Java, floods were also reported in the cities of Semarang, Kendal, Demak, Pati, Brebes, Pemalang, Tegal city, Tegal regency, Pekalongan city, Pekalongan regency and Batang.
Various activities of residents in these areas were hampered. On Saturday evening, ahead of New Year's Eve, floods in Semarang city gradually receded. A number of roads, such as Jl Simpang Lima, Jl. Gajahmada, Jl. Pemuda, Jl. Pahlawan and Jl. Pandanaran are back to normal conditions.
Meanwhile, a number of areas, including Mangkang Kulon village in Tugu district, Wonosari in Ngaliyan district and Mangunharjo in Tembalang district are still flooded but the water level has receded. In several areas in Tegal city, Tegal, Kendal, Demak, Pati, Brebes, Pemalang and Batang regencies floods are also gradually receding.
However, in Pekalongan city and Pekalongan regency, thousands of houses are submerged in water of up to 70 cm. In Pekalongan city, floods have displaced 623 people from their homes to 11 existing shelters.
It also rained in Jakarta on New Year's Eve. In several locations, such as TMII and Ancol, it rained in the afternoon. Then in the early hours of the morning until Sunday (1/1) afternoon, moderate to heavy intensity rain again came down on Jakarta.
As a result, several areas in Jakarta, such as Jl. RE Martadinata, Ancol, Pademangan, Koja and Kelapa Gading, were flooded in waters up to 30 cm. Sampang, East Java, was also flooded at the beginning of the year, as well as in Blega village, Blega district, Sampang regency, where areas were flooded from Saturday afternoon that continued until Sunday (1/1) early morning Eastern Time Zone (WIT).
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