President Jokowi Remains In The Highest Command For Pandemic Handling And Economic Recovery

President Joko Widodo still holds the highest command in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. (ANTARA/HO-Setpres Press Bureau/Agus Suparto/aa.)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo remains in command of the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recovery of the national economy. This affirmation was conveyed by the Chair of the Expert Team for the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Prof. Wiku Adisasmito.

"In principle, it is based on a single command, directed by the President. This directive from the President is based on data and facts on a regular basis," Wiku said while giving a virtual statement which was monitored from Jakarta, Tuesday, July 20.

Wiku said the command was related to the steps the government had taken to simultaneously handle health and economic recovery during the Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) for the past two weeks.

According to Wiku, the President's directives were followed up by all coordinating ministers to work hand in hand to coordinate the efforts made by the relevant ministers.

The Ministry of Health, said Wiku, will increase the readiness of health care, such as increasing the capacity of beds by converting or constructing an emergency hospital as well as increasing the number of supporting medical devices.

"This effort is supported through various international supports resulting from diplomacy by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministries. This support is obtained from government and private elements in the form of oxygen supply, ventilators and medical masks," he said.

The Ministry of Health is also responsible for the assistance of vaccine doses that keep coming in order to accelerate vaccination based on the evaluation of health care that has been carried out.

The Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) focus on the supply of oxygen cylinders through cooperation in increasing the production capacity of oxygen cylinders, reactivating factory operations and business partnerships with state-owned companies, said Wiku.

"This effort is parallel to the fulfillment of short-term oxygen needs by purchasing from overseas producers," he said.

To support the adaptation of the new habit of implementing health protocols, said Wiku, the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kemkominfo) along with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and the TNI-Polri work together to provide education and prevent false news.

Wiku also conveyed the role of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Religion and the Ministry of Education and Culture to ensure that community activities in related sectors are in line with government policies.

"The collaboration between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Social Affairs is related to special budgeting for social assistance support and the distribution of free medicines as government support to the community and small businesses, including the provision of family programs of hope, basic food cards, cash assistance according to local government proposals," he said .