Dialogue between President Joko Widodo and Regional Heads of Regencies/Municipalities during Inspection of Mass COVID-19 Vaccination in Riau Islands Province, 19 May 2021, from PT Bintan Inti Industrial Estate (BIIE), Bintan Regency, Riau Islands Province
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Good afternoon everyone.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Regional Heads of Regencies/Municipalities in Riau Island Province
Wa’alaikumsalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Today, mass vaccination has been held in seven regencies and municipalities in Riau Islands Province. I look forward to hearing from one or two regencies or municipalities, maybe Natuna or Batam, or even other municipalities.
Nevertheless, I wish to express appreciation for today’s vaccination; the Governor told me that the event has successfully vaccinated around 15,000 people. We hope Riau Islands province can increase vaccination rate so that the province will immediately achieve herd immunity and return life to normal.
I also applaud the Riau Islands provincial government for its swift response in implementing the vaccination and hopefully Ministry of Health can provide the province with additional vaccine supply. I have ordered Minister of Health to provide vaccine supply to the province on schedule.
Now, let me hear some of your views.
Regional Heads of Natuna Regency
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Wa’alaikumsalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Regional Heads of Natuna Regency
On today’s vaccination, Natuna Islands will vaccinate 500 people in five posts. So far, Natuna Islands has rolled out vaccines to 5,613 people, or roughly 6.7 percent of our target which is 70 percent of the total population of 82,000 people.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
It’s quite many. Was the vaccination on schedule?
Regional Heads of Natuna Regency
Alhamdulillah, thank God the Almighty, the vaccination runs smoothly. However, we were facing some obstacles when delivering it to sub-districts bordering on seas.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
I see. Do you have enough vaccinators?
Regional Heads of Natuna Regency
Yes, we do.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Alright. Please keep up the hard work. Minster of Health, do ensure the supply is provided constantly.
Thank you.
Regional Heads of Natuna Regency
Thank you, Mr. President.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
From Batam municipality?
Regional Secretary of Batam (Jefridin Hamid)
Thank you, Mr. President. My name is Jefridin Hamid, the Regional Secretary of Batam. I would like to give report on the development of vaccination in Batam.
In general, Batam Municipality has set a target of 774,803 people to get vaccinated consisting of 36,107 people aged 60 and above or the elderly and 738,696 of population aged 18 to 59. On today’s vaccination, we will roll out vaccines to 7,437 people spread in 16 locations in 9 sub-districts.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
That’s great.
Regional Secretary of Batam (Jefridin Hamid)
So far, we have vaccinated 72,766 people.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
It’s quite a lot.
Regional Secretary of Batam (Jefridin Hamid)
Indeed, Sir.
I would like to tell you about several obstacles we have encountered. First, the number of vaccine supply for industrial sector is limited. Therefore, I hope the Government can prioritize the vaccine supply under the Gotong Royong scheme in which the budget to be borne by legal or business entities, given its industrial city status where many workers support the economic growth and contribute to the national economic recovery. In 2020, there are 392,819workers in Batam Municipality. In addition, there are 6,573 foreign workers. Thus, the number of workers both domestic and foreign in Batam reaches 399,392 people. That is the report from regional government of Batam. Thank you.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Thank you.
I want all regencies and municipalities to prioritize vaccination for the elderly. Elderly comes first. Batam has implemented it. On the other hand, we still have not met the supply for vaccination under Gotong Royong scheme which targeted the companies, industrial sector, and factory workers. From the target of 30 million doses of vaccines, we only received 420,000 of doses. Many countries are competing to obtain the vaccine. However, I will prioritize the vaccine supply for Batam, particularly for the industry. Thank you.
More views?
Regional Heads of Anambas Islands Regency
Good afternoon, Mr. President.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Good afternoon.
Regional Heads of Anambas Islands Regency
We will roll out vaccines to 32,415 people from our total population of 48,293. On today’s vaccination, 1,500 people will get vaccinated in seven community health centers (puskesmas), and one regional general hospital. So far, we have vaccinated 2,800 people. Hopefully, the next vaccination will run smoothly as we expect.
For the record, the number of positive cases in Anambas Regency has increased because the people of Anambas Islands have not complied with the regulations. Therefore, we are striving to limit the spread of COVID-19.
In addition, Anambas is located at the tip of Natuna which directly borders with neighbouring country. For that reason, I asked the Government to pay attention to the development of health facilities and allocate it from the State Budget.
Thank you. Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)
Thank you. I am aware that the number of people vaccinated in Anambas is quite significant compared to other regencies.
To deal with an increase in positive cases, I urge the people to wear face masks. Do wear face masks, because it can protect 95 percent of our population. Do wear it everywhere you go in every activity, because it can give 95 percent of protection; based on the WHO’s research. Everyone must wear face masks, not only in Anambas Islands.
That concludes my remarks. Have a nice day at work.
I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. (RAS/MUR)