Jokowi orders spending spree to head off coronavirus

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has called for fiscal stimulus to be accelerated in a bid to shield Southeast Asia’s biggest economy from the coronavirus crisis."All ministries should start spending as early as possible, ” Widodo said Tuesday, adding that the speed at which stimulus is rolled out will be crucial in supporting the economy.

JAKARTA: Indonesian President Joko Widodo has called for fiscal stimulus to be accelerated in a bid to shield South-East Asia’s biggest economy from the coronavirus crisis. "All ministries should start spending as early as possible, ” Widodo said Tuesday, adding that the speed at which stimulus is rolled out will be crucial in supporting the economy.

"As we know, the new global economy is unfriendly because of the coronavirus, ” he told ministers gathered for a cabinet meeting, according to a statement released by his office.