Jokowi Sanctions For Rejection Of COVID-19 Vaccination, Ganjar Choose Persuasive Steps

Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo (DOK. ANTARA)

SEMARANG - Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo prioritizes persuasive efforts and outreach rather than imposing penalties on those who reject the COVID-19 vaccine.

"Yes, because the regulations on penalties have been issued, I don't want any debate about this, so those who have not agreed can be directed, then they can be pulled back (postponed, ed.). Those who do not agree may need education, need to know, need to be provided with data, need to be sure", said Ganjar in Semarang as quoted by Antara, Monday, February 15.

The delay in administering the vaccine will also be included with education with the hope that the people who do not agree will be sure and at the end of the year they can get the vaccine according to President Joko Widodo's target.

"Let's just say we educate them first for a few months and later at the end of the year, they will receive the vaccination in accordance with the President's target to finish the vaccine by this year. We will remind and educate them", he said.

According to Ganjar, his decision not to impose penalties on those who refused to vaccinate against COVID-19 took into account various aspects and conditions in the regions so that energy could be focused on accelerating vaccines and no other discussion.

"In order for our energy to go to accelerating the vaccination process, we don't need debating whether they should be punished or not. If we keep doing that, then we will be stuck. So, persuasion is more important, education is more important", he said.

As previously reported, President Jokowi issued a Presidential Regulation regarding the procurement of vaccines and the implementation of COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Presidential Decree (Perpres) also mentions penalties if there are residents who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Perpres 14/2021 was enacted in Jakarta on February 9 and promulgated on February 10.

The points are contained in Article 13A paragraph (4):

Every person who has been designated as a target recipient of the COVID-19 Vaccine who does not participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination as referred to in paragraph (2) may be subject to administrative penalties, in the form of:

a. postponement or termination of the provision of social security or social assistance;

b. suspension or termination of government administration services; and/or

c. a fine.

"The imposition of administrative penalties as referred to in paragraph (4) shall be carried out by ministries, institutions, regional governments, or agencies in accordance with their respective authorities", states Article 13A paragraph (5) of the Presidential Decree.

In addition to administrative penalties, the Presidential Decree also regulates that people who receive the COVID-19 vaccine who do not participate in this program can be subject to penalties in accordance with the applicable law. This is stated in Article 13B.

"Every person who has been designated as a target recipient of the COVID-19 Vaccine, who does not participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination as referred to in article 13A paragraph (2) and causes obstruction to the implementation of the prevention of the spread of COVID-19, in addition to being subject to penalties as referred to in article 13A paragraph ( a) may be subject to penalties in accordance with the provisions of the law on outbreaks of infectious diseases".