"We have to develop a sense of optimism that the future will be better. I have often seen that we lack self-confidence as many of us are still fond of besmirching, blaspheming, and underestimating one another. This has made us pessimistic," he said in a special interview with ANTARA News Agency, state broadcast company RRI, and state television station TVRI at the Merdeka Palace here on Monday on the occasion of his government completing a year in office.
During the first year of his government, the president said he focused on strengthening the fundamentals of the nations livelihood sectors by prioritizing the food and infrastructure sectors.
Besides strengthening physical facilities and infrastructure, he also underscored the importance of improving the nations outlook and instilling a sense of optimism.
"We must always have a sense of optimism, both in a team, the cabinet, and the community and develop a sense of self-confidence that we are a large nation. It is not easy to manage the potential and capacity of this nation comprising 17 thousand islands," the president emphasized.
"We must be productive, including for bringing about economic transformation. We will reform the old system, which relied on consumption," he affirmed.
"(Transformation from) a consumption-based economy to a production, investment, and industry driven one is once again the most difficult to achieve in the future. Despite being bitter, we believe the future will be better," he said. (WDY)
