Cilegon, Banten, (Antara) - President Joko Widodo hailed the Islamic boarding schools for developing human resources with integrity as it will help make the country more competitive at international level.
"I wish to underline the importance of good human resource development because the challenges in the future will not only be about intelligence but also character, integrity, honesty and high morals," he said during his meeting with participants of the 9th conference of Al Khairiyah central executive board in Cilegon, Banten, on Saturday afternoon.
The president said higher moral qualities are needed to maintain integrity and honesty in managing the development work in the regions.
The president raised the issue of illegal levies prevalent in state institutions and ministries' licensing offices.
"This aberration must be overcome," he stated, explaining that anyone wishing to start a business is discouraged by such malpractices.
Regarding competition, President Joko Widodo asked Indonesians not to be afraid of it as the country has huge capital resources in terms of natural and cultural richness.
"These must be exploited and we need to remind ourselves that we have always won whenever we faced competition. If there is no competition, we tend to be lazy," he noted.
President Joko Widodo marked the first anniversary of National Santri (Islamic boarding school students) Day by visiting the Al Khairiyah boarding school. He is scheduled to open the 7th Islamic Board Schools' National Sports and Arts Week at the Maulana Jusuf Stadium in Serang, Banten.(*)
