Society Is Difficult, MUI: Conglomerate Help Needed

Deputy General Chairman of MUI Dr H Anwar Abbas/Antara

JAKARTA - Deputy General Chair of the MUI, Anwar Abbas, stated that the participation of conglomerates is very much needed in helping people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Both in terms of health and economy, especially for those who are below the poverty line.

"For this reason, the presence of conglomerates and rich people in this country to help the government and society financially is highly expected", he said in a written statement in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, July 28.

According to him, social humanitarian movements such as the example of Acehnese businessman Akidi Tio (late) through his family should be followed by an example and become a massive movement for handling COVID-19.

Akidi Tio's family donated IDR 2 trillion in cash to the South Sumatra Provincial Government. The funds will be channeled into various forms of assistance such as logistics, food, medical equipment, medicines, and other forms of necessities.

"As has been done by entrepreneur Akidi Tio in Palembang, South Sumatra, of course, it is very much hoped for because if they have been harvesting and enjoying the results of their efforts, now is the time for them to share," he said.

On the one hand, he also encourages the government to continue channeling the needs of the community in line with the various restrictive policies issued.

The government, he said, must fulfill its citizens and should not leave them confused. With the synergy created, plus the community's compliance with health protocols, Indonesia will be free from the crisis and end the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Therefore, to assist the government in overcoming these problems, the contribution and participation of the nation's citizens in helping people who are really hit hard by COVID-19 and by the PPKM (Restrictions on Community Activities) policy is certainly very, very much expected", said Anwar Abbas.