Fake COVID-19 Vaccine Certificates Become Illegal Business Fields: Why Are Policies Like This Vulnerable To Be Played?

Vaccine certificate (Diah/VOI)

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 vaccination certificate is now a magic card. Because the proof of the vaccine has become an entry ticket in several public places. But unfortunately, this is actually used as a business field for the unscrupulous. And cases like this often happen. What is wrong with this kind of public policy?

Last August 12, the Klaten Police, Central Java, uncovered a syndicate of fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate makers. Two people have been named as suspects in this case. They are YNH (29) a resident of Ngering Village, Jogonalan District and EP (29) a resident of Blimbing Village, Karangnongko, Klaten.

At first, the Klaten Sector Police sniffed out information related to making fake vaccination certificates from social media. After being investigated, on Sunday, July 23, the police arrested two people who spread information about making the certificate in their respective homes. It turned out that both of them also played a direct role in editing photocopies of ID cards for certificates.

Kasatreskrim Polres Klaten AKP Andriansyah Rithas Hasibuan said people who make fake certificates are charged around Rp. 70 thousand per person. "Even though residents have not been vaccinated, they can edit, including the barcode," said Andriansyah as quoted by Merdeka.

At least more than 50 people have ordered the fake vaccination certificates. As a result of this action, the perpetrator is threatened with being entangled in Article 263 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code with a maximum prison sentence of 6 years.

Previously, the government conducted trials of opening malls and shopping centers in several places. Only residents who have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate can enter. In Jakarta, vaccination certificates are a requirement for all types of activities.

Illustration (Photo source: Antara)

Netizens' predictions

The policy of having to show a COVID-19 vaccination certificate has been heavily criticized by netizens. This can be seen from the results of Netray's social media analysis.

According to Netray, netizens criticized this policy because it was seen as social inequality. "This policy makes netizens prefer traditional markets which incidentally do not yet have such regulations."

Even before there was a scene in the case of fake COVID-19 vaccination certificates in Klaten, netizens were already skeptical. Netray noted that many netizens viewed the use of vaccine certificates to access public services could lead to new criminal acts such as counterfeiting, fraud, and even the vaccine business. Unfortunately, the concerns of netizens occurred.

This kind of skepticism may arise because similar cases often occur in similar policies. For example, the case of falsification of certificates of antigen swab and PCR test results which we can no longer mention one by one. So, why policies like this are often rigged and often used as a field for naughty criminals?

Happens often

To answer this problem, VOI contacted public policy observer Azas Tigor Nainggolan. He considered that if the vaccine certificate was used as a condition for mobility as it is now, this would indeed cause problems. "That's why I don't agree," he said.

Apart from the fact that not everyone has been vaccinated, this kind of policy, according to Tigor, is often an illegal business opportunity. "The rich like this become an illegal business opportunity."

Even if he really wanted to make a rule like this, Tigor said that the supervision must really be carried out. "That's why the policy really has to be. If it looks like it's not ready right now... That's why I refuse."

Tigor gave an example, yesterday he went to visit the Scout Market. There he found no significant supervision during the visit. "Then the capacity is 50 percent, no one is supervising it."

Illustration of entering the mall (Source: Antara)

"It's better not to make rules but don't implement them. Later it becomes a problem, there are many different people," he said.

Because the policies made by the government are not strict, said Tigor, irresponsible people were present. "They tried it at first, didn't they. If they pass, then continue."

"This is the same as the previous policy, which was similar. There are many fake antigen swab results, rapid test results. It's all very easy (fake) people just make it up using a computer," he concluded.

*Read other information about the COVID-19 VACCINE or other interesting articles from Ramdan Febrian Arifin.

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