President Jokowi Calls for Optimum Distribution of Stimulus for COVID-19 Mitigation

President Jokowi gives direction at a limited meeting through a teleconference on Monday (27/7). (Photo by: Ibrahim/PR).

The establishment of the COVID-10 Mitigation and the National Economic Recovery Committee aims to integrate health and economic policies and to make balanced and extensive responses, according to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

“Health care is our priority. We must continue to intensify efforts to tackle the pandemic until vaccines are available and can be used effectively,” the President said during a limited cabinet meeting via video conference, Monday (27/7).

The President also pointed out that there is no such thing as the dissolution of COVID-19 Task Force both at the Central and regional levels and the Task Force will continue to work.

In health sector, the President said close attention and priority should be given to eight provinces, namely DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, North Sumatra, South Sulawesi, South Kalimantan, and Papua.

“Given that those eight provinces account for 74% of positive cases in the country, I think I have made it clear,” he said, adding that death rate must be made as low as possible and recovery rate must be increased, and growth of new positive must be controlled cases as quickly as possible.

“We must continue to massively apply 3T methods; testing, tracing, and treatment,” he said, adding that issues relating to a shortage of test equipment, PCR machines, lab capacity, PPE, and hospital equipment must be immediately resolved.

“Effective communication with hospitals, the community, and the regions must be carried out as effectively as possible,” he said.

The President also called for rapid acceleration and optimum absorption of COVID-19 stimulus.

“As of 22 July, budget realization stood at Rp136 trillion or accounting for 19 percent of Rp695 trillion budget allocation,” he said, adding that social protection accounts for 38%, MSMEs at 25% including placement of funds in the Association of State-owned Banks (Himbara) of Rp30 trillion, health sector at 7%, support for sectoral and regional governments at 6.5%, and business incentives at 13%.

“This is the issue that the Committee must immediately address by making breakthrough steps and working faster,” he said.

The Head of State also reminded that issues relating to regulation and administrative process must be immediately resolved by revising the regulation and cutting red tape.

On that occasion, the President also ordered the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) both at the Central and regional levels to take maximum efforts in tackling the crisis. (FID/EN)

Translator: Muhardi
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas