Jokowi’s speech at the UN General Assembly in Indonesian, Why? All pages

KOMPAS.com – For the first time since his presidency, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) addressed the 75th General Assembly of the United Nations (UN).

This year is Jokowi’s first year to address the UN General Assembly, since he took office in 2014.

For the past five years, Jokowi has always delegated this task to Vice President Jusuf Kalla. However, this time Jokowi did not send Vice President Ma’ruf Amin.

Quoted Kompas.comOn Tuesday (9/22/2020), the UN General Assembly was held virtually. Jokowi’s speech was reproduced from previously made recordings.

According to the head of the Presidential Secretariat, Heru Budi Hartono, the speech will be interpreted at 8:30 p.m. New York time or around 7:30 a.m. WIB on Wednesday, September 23, 2020.

Jokowi’s speech at the UN General Assembly contained the need for cooperation between countries to handle Covid-19.

“We are all concerned about this situation. Our concerns are growing during this Covid-19 pandemic. At a time when we should all come together to work together to fight the pandemic, what we see is that there are still divisions and rivalries every increasing numbers, “Jokowi said. Kompas.com, Wednesday (23/9/2020).

The speech was delivered in Indonesian.

Also read: Jokowi’s speech at the UN General Assembly, requesting the elimination of the rivalry in the management of Covid-19

Why doesn’t Jokowi use English?

This is because Jokowi signed Presidential Regulation No. 63 of 2019 on the use of the Indonesian language on September 30, 2019.

Perpres eliminates Presidential Decree No. 16/2010 on the use of Indonesian in official speeches by the President and / or Vice Presidents and other officials.

With Presidential Decree No. 63/2019, the Indonesian language must be used in official speeches by the president, vice president and other state officials, both at home and abroad.

This is confirmed by article 16 of Presidential Decree No. 63/2019 on Official Speeches Abroad.

It is indicated that the delivery of the official speeches of the president and / or vice president in forums held abroad will be in Indonesian.

The official speech in question is an official forum organized by:

1. PBB
2. International Organization
3. Host country

In addition, the official speech of the president and / or vice president must be delivered at the time and place that has been determined in accordance with the protocols of the United Nations, organization, international or host country.

However, when delivering a speech, the president may be accompanied by an interpreter. This is in accordance with article 18.

Then, article 19 establishes that the president may also transmit the content of the speech orally in a foreign language to clarify and reinforce what he wants to convey.

“In case it is necessary to clarify and affirm what is going to be transmitted, the president and / or the vice president can deliver the content of the speech referred to in article 17 orally in a foreign language followed by a transcription of the speech in Indonesian, “wrote Article 19.

Also read: Full content of President Jokowi’s speech during the UN General Assembly

Quoted Kompas.com, Friday (11/10/2019), according to linguistic activist on social media Ivan Lanin, the use of Indonesian in international forums is commonplace.

“It is not unusual (to use Indonesian in an international forum). When there is an international conference, and it is a speech or a one-way conference, it is natural that people from all countries speak their own language. You can speak English,” Ivan said when they contacted Kompas.com, Thursday (10/10/2019).

Although the agreed international language is English, Iván continued, its use occurs during direct verbal communication and is accompanied by an interpreter.

Furthermore, it is not only Indonesia that does not use English during a speech at the UN session.

He gave an example that countries like Japan and France also use the languages ​​of their respective countries.

“When he (leader) can’t speak an international language, that’s fine. There are so many foreign leaders who don’t speak English. Really. They can still lead well, “he said.

(Source: Kompas.com/Mela Arnani, Rakhmat Nur Hakim, Ihsanuddin | Editors: Inggried Dwi Wedhaswary, Diamanty Meiliana, Krisiandi)