Agung Laksono Banks The Issue Of The Minister Of Health Participating In The Mixed Contestation Of The Chairperson Of PMI

Candidate For Chairman Of The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) for the period 2024-2029 Agung Laksono/ANTARA

JAKARTA - The candidate for General Chair of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) for the period 2024-2029, Agung Laksono, dismissed the issue of the Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin interfering in the contestation of the general chairman of PMI.

"The Minister of Health has been able to manage his agency well, so there is absolutely no mention of him being involved in the contestation issue of the general chairman of PMI. So, I deny that statement," said Agung as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, December 6.

Agung ran for the General Chairperson of PMI following the 22nd National Conference (Munas) of the humanitarian agency which will be held on December 8-10, 2024.

Regarding the formation of the blood plasma industry in Indonesia, Agung stated that it was open to this as long as it was carried out in accordance with government regulations and laws.

"As long as it is carried out in accordance with the rules, both in PMI and regulated by the government through PP or Permenkes or Law, it must be followed by all those concerned. We will return to the rules, lest any business take place without applicable regulations," he said.

He emphasized that if he was elected as the General Chair of PMI, his party would not prohibit it if there were new technologies and blood plasma-related businesses in Indonesia as long as they were used to meet the needs of the community.

"Please, go ahead, as long as the provisions apply, but, because PMI is a humanitarian institution, not a business institution, it must be taken into account as well as possible, the need (plasma) should not be scarcity," he said.

Previously, Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Jusuf Kalla emphasized that all PMI members have the same right to become general chairman.

It's just that, even though they have the same rights, they must prioritize ethics and meet the requirements that have been regulated in the organization's AD/ART.

"It can't be like various parties. This is a matter of humanity, so it must be in accordance with ethics, AD/ART and organizational regulations," he said.