KAI's COVID-19 Test Is Only Rp.105 Thousand, Apindo: BUMN Do Not Monopolize Cheap Antigen Swabs

Illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo), Hariyadi Sukamdani, highlighted that the antigen swab price of IDR 105 thousand is provided by PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI). According to him, this cheap medical test facility should not only be given to State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN).

For your information, the cheap antigen swab is the result of cooperation between BUMN and PT Rajawali Nusindo, which is a subsidiary of PT Rajawali Nusantara Indonesia (RNI).

According to Hariyadi, this cheap medical test is also needed by private entrepreneurs and is considered to be very helpful in overcoming the spread of COVID-19.

"Well, please think about this too. So do not apologize for this, SOEs should not just monopolize themselves. They want to be cheap, but they do not want to share with other friends (entrepreneurs)," he said, in a virtual discussion, Friday, January 8th.

In addition, Hariyadi said, businessmen agreed with the government that the priority hierarchy in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic is safety or health. Because of this, the business world in conducting business always strictly adheres to health protocols.

Therefore, he requested that the government also provide equal access to private entrepreneurs to get cheap antigen swabs, so that they can carry out testing.

"I agree that the economy and others cannot, but the main priority is health. Then in terms of comfort, technology and so, of course we adjust (regulations) and the most important thing in my opinion is the problem of testing," he explained.

As is known, PT KAI provides antigen swab services for IDR 105 thousand for long-distance train passengers at several stations starting December 21, 2020.

The government issued new conditions for those who wish to travel outside the city. The condition issued by the government is the obligation to include the results of the rapid / swab antigen test as a condition for travel.