JAKARTA: Regional governments in the nation have been urged by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to move away from international payment systems such as Mastercard and Visa to protect any transactions from potential geopolitical repercussions on credit cards issued by domestic banks. start using. financial transactions.

According to Jokowi, the war in Ukraine and its accompanying economic sanctions imposed by the US could result in problems as financial instruments such as payment systems could be used against nations considered to be involved in the conflict.

"Take extreme care. We must not forget the US sanctions against Russia. There may be problems with Visa and Mastercard" to encourage the use of goods and services made in Indonesia, President Jokowi told a national gathering.

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According to Jokowi, the use of domestic credit cards provided by regional banks could increase the country's financial autonomy.

He said that we can be more secure if we use our own platforms and everyone uses them at the local level, including local governments, ministries and government agencies.

Jokowi in the same speech urged the Indonesian military and national police to buy goods and weapons from regional suppliers.

If we have to import jet fighters, we can totally understand. However, according to Jokowi, we can produce things like ammunition, weapons and food rations for the soldiers at home.

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Jokowi has been open about his particular brand of economic nationalism in recent years, which pervades both his domestic and foreign agenda.

Jokowi sparked outrage in 2021 by urging Indonesians to disdain imported goods.

Jokowi said in a speech, "Reiterating the call to support our own brands, in addition, reiterating our hatred towards imported goods."