Jokowi Asks Erick Thohir And Johnny Plate To Manage Public Communication About The COVID-19 Vaccine

President Jokowi / Screenshot of the Presidential Secretariat Youtube

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked his line ministries to prepare a public communication strategy regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.

As for those who were asked to prepare this strategy was Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir assisted by the Minister of Communication and Informatics (Menkominfo) Johnny G Plate.

"This is very important, the public communication strategy is well prepared and I ask the SOE Minister's team to prepare again. This communication strategy is backed up by Kominfo," said Jokowi when opening a limited meeting on the plan for procurement and implementation of vaccinations to be held at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday, 26 October.

To Erick and Johnny, Jokowi asked that the issue of giving the COVID-19 vaccine be conveyed and explained comprehensively to the public through various media. This explanation must include the benefits of vaccination to the map of its implementation. So, in the future there will be no more hoaxes about the COVID-19 vaccine that will make people doubt.

In addition, Jokowi also requested that his staff involve religious assemblies or organizations in Indonesia such as the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Nahdatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah and other mass organizations in publishing the COVID-19 vaccine.

"Especially regarding the benefits of vaccines and convincing people about the halalness of the COVID-19 vaccine," he said.

Jokowi requested that his line ministries prepare a timeline for the vaccination activities. Preparation of this timeline needs to be done in order to provide facilities and infrastructure to supporting infrastructure, distribution and vaccine delivery intervals per region.

"I ask for details. When this area, who gets, who is free, who pays everything must be planned and prepared in detail," he said.

Finally, before closing the meeting, Jokowi asked his staff to hold training and simulations related to vaccination in the community. "Do exercises and simulations, both by health workers and security personnel and volunteers who will be involved in the implementation of vaccinations," he concluded.