Erick Thohir Is Ready To Carry Out Airlangga's Decision To Stop Exporting PT RNI Masks

Minister of BUMN, Erick Thohir when visiting Kimia Farma pharmacy. (Mery Handayani / VOI)

JAKARTA - Masks have become a rare item in Indonesia after the outbreak of the corona virus or COVID-19 to various countries. Moreover, after the discovery of positive cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia, the price of masks soared. To meet domestic needs, the Ministry of BUMN is ready to stop exporting masks if requested.

Before the scarcity of masks occurred, Indonesia was recorded as one of the exporters of health products to the country where the virus originated, namely China. The delivery of the masks was carried out by PT Rajawali Nusindo which is a subsidiary of PT Rajawali Nusantara Indonesia Group (Persero) which is engaged in trading and distribution. A total of 3 million pieces of medical grade masks were sent to China by the company.

Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir said, PT Rajawali Nusantara Indonesia Group (Persero) does produce masks for domestic and foreign needs. However, Erick admitted that he was ready to order PT Rajawali Nusantara Indonesia (Persero) to stop the export of the masks they produced to meet domestic needs.

"Okay, later if the Coordinating Minister (Airlangga Hartarto) asks to be stopped, we will do it," said Erick, while visiting Kimia Farma Pharmacy in Menteng, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, March 4.

On the other hand, Erick did not deny that there would be an increase in the price of masks in the country. This is due to the availability of raw materials for making masks. Currently, these raw materials are imported from China. If the supply of raw materials from the Bamboo Curtain country is hampered by the COVID-19 virus, it will be imported from Europe.

"But this is the raw material from China. If the stock runs out, the raw material stock is not the mask, the mask has the ingredients in it. So that later we want to take an alternative to buy from Europe. If from Europe the price is not IDR 2,000," he said. .

Don't blame Kimia Farma

Erick reminded that if the price of masks sold by Kimia Farma would increase, the public would be asked not to be prejudiced against the state-owned company.

Supplies of masks at Aptek Kimia Farma. (Mery Handayani / VOI)

"So don't be gossiped about when stocks made of materials from China run out, then suddenly the price goes up, it is said Kimia Farma is taking the opportunity in a tight spot. This price is not marked up. We make sure when the community is in trouble, Kimia Farma will not raise the price," he said.

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto said the demand for masks from China had looked so great. The country has even absorbed a large supply of masks for the next three months.

Because of this, Airlangga asked Indonesia to also prepare a supply of masks. He is worried that all the supply of masks will be completely absorbed by China.