Vaccine Politicization

KUM

J Kristiadi

Following mainstream media coverage and information on social media, the vaccination drive is, in general, highly appreciated by the public. Services are carried out under strict health protocols and health workers and volunteers are serving with heart and empathy, warm and friendly, with no differentiation based on social status, ethnicity, religion or the like. All are served with prime quality. Quality services are able to spread a sense of brotherhood that can further enhance social cohesion. This is capital that has the potential to build a collective memory that can strengthen feelings as a nation.

However, vaccination as a noble agenda to save mankind is always challenged by the lust for power. The phenomenon of the politicization of vaccination is a long history of fighting the pandemic. Several historians have compiled comparative studies of these phenomena in Europe, South Asia, East Asia, West Africa and the United States in the period from the 19th century to the 21st century.

Also read: Looking into the Nusantara Vaccine

From a historical perspective, vaccination policies have always been challenged by the interests of power politics that affect the process of state formation, national identity, nationality, social cohesion and geopolitical dynamics (Christine Holmberg et al., The Politics of Vaccination, A Global History, 2017). Vaccination politics tends to strengthen state sovereignty, national identity and social solidarity. However, the opposite can happen if there is a politicization that serves the interests of power.

In observing the pros and cons of the validity of the Nusantara Vaccine, a phenomenon of power politics has also emerged. The reasoning of arguments about the validity of the Nusantara Vaccine is misguided and the aroma of its political interests stings. One of the indications of such allegation is the debate between the government, particularly the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM), and the initiators and supporters of the Nusantara Vaccine.

The chairperson of the BPOM has even been bluntly accused of committing public lies.

The BPOM demands that the initiators of the Nusantara Vaccine conduct research in accordance with international standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, the response is very rhetorical and ideological by airing idioms, among others, the Nusantara Vaccine is a domestic product and the result of the knowledge of the nation\'s children, presenting the independence and sovereignty of the people, as well as other patriotic expressions. The chairperson of the BPOM has even been bluntly accused of committing public lies.

KOMPAS/RUNIK SRI ASTUTI

Head of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) Penny K Lukito checked the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine storage facility at the Sidoarjo Health Office, Tuesday (23/2/2021)

The fallacy of logic on the counter-argument occurs in two aspects. First, personal attack or argumentum ad hominem. Second, an argument based on the assumption the persons in question feel that their position or power is higher than that of their interlocutors, argumentum ad verecundiam.

The pretext also contains pressure for opponents to submit to them. The politicization was even more prominent because dozens of members of the House of Representatives (DPR), including one of its leaders and several supporting figures, claimed to have been vaccinated with the Nusantara Vaccine.

The debate should have focused on issues at the technical-academic level, not be answered in an ideological national spirit. If this continues, the debate on the fallacy of logic has the potential to divide society, become polarized and become even increasingly dangerous if it is accompanied by blind political will.

Also read: Coronavirus and Politics

Such a silly debate is similar to the story from decades ago at a Geneva human rights trial. It was said that Indonesia was accused of committing human rights violations, accompanied by sufficiently detailed data (even though not necessarily valid) in certain areas. However, the answers submitted were not factual data that could prove otherwise, but only stated that it was impossible for Indonesia to violate human rights because Indonesia had the Pancasila ideology.

It is better if the discourse is carried out by experts who have high knowledge and moral competence, because the risk is very deadly if it is allowed to develop with the motivation of political interests. The support of more than 100 community leaders, including reliable academics, is expected to clarify public reasoning, so that the discussion is more productive and beneficial for the community and policymakers.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

Elderly people receive a Covid-19 vaccine at the Tamini Square shopping center, East Jakarta, Wednesday (21/4/2021).

The politicization of vaccination should not be left without attention, because as we get closer to the general election of 2024, where the main priority is the presidential election, there is a high risk that vaccination will be used as an object by political brokers to drain the country\'s wealth for the 2024 presidential election.

Corruption can be colossal, because the 2024 elections will be simultaneous elections, which will force the people to elect seven kinds of high-ranking state officials, from the president to members of the regency/city legislative councils (DPRD). Rumors about the financing of the presidential election have been widespread among the political elite. Reportedly, a rough calculation showed that those running as presidential candidates require funds of 7 trillion to 8 trillion rupiah.

Also read: Pandemic and Political Ethics

The pandemic has proven not to loosen cohesion and the spirit of community solidarity. The enthusiasm of the community to participate in being vaccinated proves that the community is optimistic and believes in the seriousness of the government in dealing with the pandemic. Thus, it is expected that the ban on the traditional Ramadan exodus will be obeyed by the community. The government\'s tough task is to provide adequate vaccines and maintain a comfortable atmosphere in its implementation.

The government must also remain firm. Anyone who intends to make a vaccine must apply standard research. Do not let a fake vaccine pass, because the consequences are fatal.

J KRISTIADI, Senior Researcher at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.