Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia on a Limited Meeting on Report of COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Working Committee Monday, 16 November 2020 at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta

Bismillahirahmanirrahiim.

Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

Good morning.

May prosperity be upon us all.

Distinguished Vice President, Ministers, and Heads of Institutions.

In this limited meeting on COVID-19 handling, I would like to emphasize that the safety of the people is the highest law. And during this pandemic, we have imposed social restrictions, including on limiting the public crowd. Therefore, discipline to implement health protocols must be enforced. No one is immune to the corona virus. All of them can be infected with this virus and can also pass it on to other people.

For that reason, I ask the National Police (Polri) Chief, the Indonesia National Defense Forces (TNI) Commander, and Chairperson of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force to take firm action if anyone flouts these social restrictions based on existing regulations. So, do not just make suggestions, rather it must be done by concrete action and enforcement in the field.

To make the COVID-19 handling measures effective, trust is needed. It takes trust from the public in what the Government is doing. I also ask Minister of Home Affairs to remind, if necessary, reprimand regional heads, including governors, regents, and mayors to be able to provide good examples to the community and not to create crowds.

I remind regions that already have a Health Protocol Discipline Enforcement Regulation to really implement it in a firm, consistent, and indiscriminate manner. Again, the Government’s task is to take legal action, and the firmness of the authorities in disciplining the public against health protocols is a must. It is a must.

I am glad with the figure as of 15 November 2020. The average active case of COVID-19 in Indonesia stood at 12.82 percent. This figure is much lower than the global average active cases of COVID-19 which was at 27.85 percent. The average recovery rate for COVID-19 is also good, reaching 83.92 percent, this is higher, much higher than the global recovery rate which was at 69.73 percent. But we still have to work hard to reduce the mortality rate even lower, because currently it is still at an average of 3.26 percent, slightly higher than the global mortality rate of 2.43 percent. Those good improvements should not be damaged because we lose our control and we do not have the courage to take firm legal action in the field.

Do not let doctors, nurses, medical personnel, paramedics work in vain because the Government does not act firmly for activities that are contrary to health protocols and regulations. We must appreciate the sacrifices of the doctors, nurses, medical personnel, and paramedics who have worked hard for weeks and even months to save patients and not see their families. I inspect their work so I know exactly.

I also remind the Chairperson of the COVID-19 Task Force, the Chairperson of the COVID-19 Working Committee to continue to tackle the spread of COVID-19, because the Government has disbursed budget of trillions of rupiah for this matter. Do not lose focus on handling COVID-19.

That concludes my remarks. Thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

Translated by Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by Muhardi