President Jokowi Issues Directives for Governors on Handling COVID-19 Outbreak

President Jokowi delivers directives for Governors through a video conference from the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (24/3). (Photo by: PR/Ibrahim).

President Joko “Jokowi“ Widodo on Tuesday (24/3) delivered a number of directives for Governors regarding measures to handle COVID-19 outbreak. The President delivered his directives through a video conference from the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.

The President’s directives include:

First, safety and maintaining health are the priority.

Second, the social safety net should be provided.

Third, the economic impact should be calculated and food supply should be maintained.

Regarding the lockdown policy, the President said that each country has a different character and culture, and the Government chooses not to impose the lockdown policy.

“I have got the report on the policies of other countries from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through our Ambassadors and we continue to monitor the report every day. So, in our country, the most appropriate policy is physical distancing. That is of the utmost importance. If we can do that, I am sure that we will be able to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” the President said.

The President also said that mitigation of the economic impact (of the COVID-19 outbreak) should be disseminated to the people.

“I order Cabinet Ministers, Governors, Regents, and Mayors to cut unnecessary spending plan in State Budget or Regional Budget,” President Jokowi said, adding that budget for business travels, meetings, and other expenditures that do not directly impact the people must immediately be cut.

The President also instructed the Governors and Regional leaders to conduct program refocusing and budgets reallocation to accelerate the handling of COVID-19, overcome issues on the health sector and provide social assistance to overcome economic issues.

“The legal base is clear. Last week, on 20 March 2020, I have signed the Presidential Instruction Number 4 of 2020 on Budget Refocusing and Reallocation,” the President said.

On that occasion, the President also instructed the Governors and regional leaders:

First, to closely monitor the availability of basic commodities and maintain people’s purchasing power.

Second, to closely monitor the condition of workers, especially daily workers, farmers, fishermen and micro and small businesses owners and to maintain their purchasing power and their ability to continue production.

“Therefore, Cash for Work program should be implemented in provinces, regencies, and cities to maintain people’s purchasing power,” the President said. (FID/TGH/EN)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana