Indonesian President speaks ahead of APEC summit

The president of Indonesia spoke via video link to a meeting of Asia-Pacific CEOs, seeking deeper commitment to free trade to bolster the region's economy battered by the coronavirus pandemic.

Thursday's event came ahead of a meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders hosted by Malaysia. The meeting Friday is due to be conducted via internet due to the pandemic.

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo defended a new controversial jobs law that he said would improve the business climate and prop up his country's economic growth.

The law approved last month revises 79 existing regulations and sparked violent protests from workers who fear it would cripple labor rights and harm the environment.

"Indonesia is using the momentum of this crisis to carry out extraordinary structural reforms....so that we can move quickly through these difficult times. We are ready to open the doors widely for businessmen and for investors in new ways," Widodo said.