Appreciating The Cancellation Of Paid COVID-19 Vaccines, Firli: President's Decision Is The Best

KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri (Photo: KPK Public Relations Documentation)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri appreciated President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)'s decision to cancel the paid COVID-19 vaccine or Gotong Royong Vaccine for individuals.

This decision is considered the best decision considering there are a number of notes given by the institution some time ago regarding the program.

The note, said Firli, was delivered during a coordination meeting on the implementation of paid vaccines on July 12 which was attended by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of SOEs Erick Thohir, Attorney General ST Burhanuddin, and a number of other high-ranking institutions.

"Based on the records held by the KPK, the presidential decision is the best," Firli said in a written statement quoted on Monday, July 19.

At that time, the anti-corruption commission said it did not support the paid vaccination program through PT Kimia Farma because its effectiveness was low and its management was full of risks of rioting.

"KPK has provided legal views regarding the potential for corruption that could occur as well as strategic input. If it must continue to be implemented, even though the KPK has given views, the authority still belongs to the relevant ministries and institutions. The results of the meeting will certainly be known by the president," said Firli.

Furthermore, Firli also welcomes President Jokowi's warning so that public officials in the country have a sense of crisis, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Previously reported, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said President Joko Widodo canceled the paid vaccine or the Gotong Royong vaccine which was originally to be distributed through Kimia Farma.

Pramono said the decision was taken after Jokowi received input and responses from the public.

"The president has given strict directions for paid vaccines that are planned to be distributed through Kimia Farma, all of which are canceled and revoked so that all vaccines remain with the free mechanism," Pramono said in a press statement via the Presidential Secretariat Youtube, Friday, July 16.