Luhut Invites Teachers, Doctors, Economic Observers To Students: I Need Input, Especially Regarding The COVID-19 Delta Variant

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan invited various parties from the Indonesian Professors Council Forum (FGDB), the Indonesian Doctors Association, economic observers, to representatives of student associations to seek input on the handling of COVID-19.

On Tuesday afternoon, August 3, Luhut, who is also the Coordinator of the Java-Bali PPKM, held a virtual meeting and discussion with the FGDB to discuss what efforts have been and will be made by the government in dealing with Covid-19.

"I also ask for input from ladies and gentlemen to deal with our special situation regarding this Covid-19 case, more specifically this variant delta. The role of our parents is needed to help whatever the government has done to control the pandemic," said Luhut in a statement. written, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, August 4.

Luhut stated that his party had compiled and made a formula for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. In general, there are three aspects, namely reducing the potential for transmission by implementing 3M and 3T; reduce the duration of contact; and vaccinate.

On the same occasion, Prof. Widodo from the Islamic University of Indonesia (UII) expressed support for the government's work and efforts that have been and will be carried out to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, including Java and Bali. He considered that so far, many parties and individuals had attacked and assessed that the efforts to contain COVID-19, which was commanded by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, had failed.

"Actually, if someone asks whether the government has failed to deal with the pandemic, it's the wrong question because currently the fight against the pandemic is still in progress and has not been completed," he said.

Furthermore, on the evening of Tuesday 3 August, Luhut held a coordination meeting inviting all regional heads in Java and Bali, epidemiologists, the Indonesian Doctors Association, economic observers to representatives from the Student Executive Board (BEM) from various universities in Java and Bali.

On this occasion, Luhut outlined a pandemic control plan or road map that had been prepared and this was key for all parties involved.

Coordinating Minister Luhut said that the opening of economic activities would depend on the achievement of vaccinations, as well as the implementation of 3T and 3M. Therefore, he requested that the month of August should be used to increase the coverage of the three aspects above.

"Every Regional Commander, the Regional Police Chief, writes down the tracing results from each region, so that we can predict when our 1:10 target can be achieved soon. My regional government also asks for his help to participate in monitoring this tracing, all must be united. All reports use the same language so that we can achieve the target well," he continued.

Senior economist from the University of Indonesia Faisal Basri also provided input on the need for the use and involvement of students, not only medical students and the medical field, but also providing opportunities for other students to assist the government in carrying out 3T programs, for example as input personnel for tracing cases in the field.

On the same occasion, Chairman of the University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI) Leon Alvinda Putra and also Chairman of the PB Islamic Student Association (HMI) Raihan Ariatama stated that students are ready to help and support the government's steps.

They also provided input regarding efforts to handle COVID-19 in Java and Bali. One of them is that medical students who are currently entering their final year can be involved or seconded to become health workers, provided that their involvement must be made or formulated into a semester credit system (SKS) that has been taken, and can be linked to the independent campus program so that they remain get credit in college.

Responding to this input, Luhut also admitted that he would immediately contact the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Makarim to be able to realize the students' proposals.

"I completely agree with the purpose of the Merdeka Campus and will immediately contact Minister Nadiem to immediately realize the request of these student friends, so that this pandemic can be overcome together," said Coordinating Minister Luhut.