On PPKM Levels 4, 3 Extension, Luhut: Let Us Unite Our Forces to Overcome Pandemic

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto deliver their press statement on the Evaluation and Implementation of PPKM, Sunday (25/07). (Source: Presidential Secretariat YouTube)

Following the extension of Level 4 and Level 3 Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) in the islands of Java and Bali from 26 July to 2 August 2021, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan underlined the importance of cooperation from all elements in the implementation of pandemic control policy.

“The handling of the Delta variant can produce good results and the economy of the people can run smoothly; those depend on all of us. My hope for my fellow countrymen, let us unite our forces to overcome this Delta variant,” he said.

Luhut said that the Government has also mobilized all lines in efforts to handle this pandemic, starting from the Central Government, regional governments, ASN (civil state apparatus) to the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri).

The decision to whether a regency/city is included or not in the Level 4 and Level 3 PPKM comes after assessing three main indicators, namely transmission rate, responses of the health system based on WHO guidelines, and socioeconomic conditions of the people.

“President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo put emphasis on the last one, the socioeconomic conditions of the people. So, the three indicators are our barometer,” he said.

The Coordinating Minister added that the provisions regarding Level 4 and Level 3 PPKM are stated in detail in the Instruction of Minister of Home Affairs. He also expressed hope that these provisions can be implemented by all elements.

“We will take strict action against violators. For example, industries must comply with the provisions. Otherwise, we will penalize them to stop producing. Certainly, all of this is done persuasively to enforce the provisions because this is from us, for us, and what we are doing will save all of us too,” he remarked. (DND/UN) (FI/MUR)