VP Ma’ruf Amin Calls on Aceh Gov’t to Speed Up Vaccination

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin chairs a coordination meeting on People’s Economic Empowerment and Public Services at Aceh Governor’s Office in Banda Aceh, Aceh province, Tuesday (16/11). (Photo by: Vice Presidential Secretariat)

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin called on Aceh Provincial Government to speed up the COVID-19 vaccination drive in the province as it is still below the national performance.

“The percentage of those who have received the second jabs in Aceh province is the least of all provinces in Sumatra,” the Vice President said during the coordination meeting on People’s Economic Empowerment and Public Services at Aceh Governor’s Office in Banda Aceh, Aceh province, Tuesday (16/11).

Data from Ministry of Health shows that as of 16 November at 12.00 Western Indonesian Time, of 4.03 million people, only 34.95 percent of whom has received the first dose and 19.06 percent for the second dose.

In this regard, the Vice President also ordered Ministry of Health and the Aceh Provincial Government to continue to explore the causes of the low vaccination coverage. He also asked the local government to continue to provide services as well as facilities and infrastructure to maximize the vaccination drive.

“The Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) should also provide supports. Community leaders, Islamic scholars, I hope that tausiyah (Islamic discourse) can be given to arouse public enthusiasm to participate in vaccination,” he said.

Furthermore, the Vice President underlined that the Government only provides safe and efficacious vaccines for the people.

“The current vaccine is considered safe from the safety aspect, efficacious from the efficacy aspect, and is halal. Even if there is a non-halal, it is permissible in the Islamic aspect, based on conditions,” he said.

Therefore, to achieve herd immunity, the Vice President appealed to the people of Aceh not to hesitate to participate in the national vaccination drive.

“This is a noble effort to maintain mutual safety. This is a preventive measure that is obligatory in the religion,” he added.

On that occasion, the Vice President also highlighted the low absorption of government spending in the province.

“In this difficult economic situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, government spending is vital to encourage economic growth and people’s wellbeing,” the Vice President stated.

The Vice President also asked Governor of Aceh as well as regents and mayors to make budget absorption used for the benefit of the people a priority in achieving targets at the end of the year.

“Communications between the Aceh government and the Aceh Regional House of Representatives need to be continuously improved in terms of quality and productivity, for the wellbeing of the Acehnese. Whatever the current state of political dynamics in Aceh is, the interests of the Acehnese must be a common concern,” he remarked. (Vice Presidential Secretariat/UN) (FI/MUR)