Fulfill Public Needs First

Kompas/Wawan H Prabowo

Residents\' activities at the Kebayoran Lama Market, Jakarta, Saturday (24/7/2021). Until the end of the extension period for the implementation of the emergency community activity restrictions (PPKM), many traders and visitors at the traditional market were still reluctant to implement the Covid-19 prevention health protocol properly and correctly.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Mobility restrictions to curb COVID-19 transmission will be effective if public needs are fulfilled. Apart from medicines, vaccines and oxygen, the government should also meet the basic necessities of people impacted by the enforcement of public activity restrictions (PPKM).

After President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo decided to extend the PPKM period with some relaxation of restrictive provisions, Home Minister Tito Karnavian issued three instructions concerning PPKM level 2, level 3 and level 4.

According to the Home Minister, 95 regencies/cities in Java-Bali are under PPKM level 4 and 33 regencies/cities categorized as level 3. A total of 45 regencies/cities outside Java-Bali are subsumed under level 4, while 276 regencies/cities belong to level 3 and 65 regencies/cities in level 2.

The key is that regional administrations should be more actively provide social protection, health service systems, support for MSMEs and wage subsidies for those subjected to dismissals.

At a virtual press conference with Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin and Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini on Monday (26/7/2021), Tito said that in the PPKM extension period of July 26 to Aug. 2, the business sector is allowed some relaxation.

“There are slight changes, mainly concerning the activity of micro, small and medium-scale enterprises [MSME] as they are comparatively impacted,” he said.

Regional heads were also asked to release more specific circulars or instructions in line with their regional characteristics.

A member of the Indonesian Ombudsman, Robert Na Endi Jaweng, warned that the government should give a more detailed explanation about the purpose of the PPKM extension and immediately assist impacted people.

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“The key is that regional administrations should be more actively provide social protection, health service systems, support for MSMEs and wage subsidies for those subjected to dismissals,” he said.

Center of Reform on Economics (CORE) Indonesia executive director Mohammad Faisal indicated that PPKM would be effective in curbing COVID-19 transmission if the government guaranteed the fulfillment of public needs. The distribution of social aid should be prioritized and well directed.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Activities at a shopping store in Cirebon City, West Java, on the first day of the implementation of level 4 community activity restrictions (PPKM), Monday (26/7/2021). In PPKM level 4, supermarkets, supermarkets, and people\'s markets that sell daily necessities are allowed to open until 20:00.

Although its value is not as high as the income normally earned, social aid can at least meet people’s basic necessities as they stay at home.

“Social aid not only functions to maintain their purchasing power, but also serves as a stimulus for them to remain at home,” Faisal said.

Social Affairs Minister Risma affirmed that the government was expediting the distribution of social aid in regions under PPKM level 4. Besides routine social aid in the form of Non-Cash Food Aid (BPNT) and Families of Hope

Program (PKH), there is also cash social aid for COVID-19-impacted residents. The government also provides an additional 10 kilograms of rice for PKH and cash aid recipients.

Social aid not only functions to maintain their purchasing power, but also serves as a stimulus for them to remain at home

The government, said Health Minister Budi Gunadi, strived to meet the demand for medicines, oxygen and vaccines. The import of raw materials for drugs, elevation of production capacity and preparation of distribution are carried out to meet drug demand, which has increased twelvefold.

“It takes four to six weeks to boost domestic drug production to meet the demand,” he added.

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The government is also attempting to increase the number of COVID-19 examinations by adding tracing personnel. Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto said the ratio of close contact tracing to confirmed COVID-19 cases in Indonesia stood at just 1:1. The government is working to achieve the target of 1:30 to comply with World Health Organization standards.

Rp 2 trillion in aid

The family of late entrepreneur Akidi Tio has donated Rp 2 trillion (US$138.23 million) in aid to pandemic impacted people in South Sumatra. According to their plan, besides fulfilling the people’s basic needs, the aid is also to be used for the purchase of health equipment.

The aid was presented by the doctor of Akidi’s big family, Hardi Darmawan, at the South Sumatra Police headquarters in Palembang on Monday. Akidi always reiterated his message to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to set aside their income for people in need.

“Not only South Sumatra, several other regions have also been aided,” he said. (WKM/PDS/CAS/RAM/TAN)

This article was translated by Aris Prawira