PGI Proposes To Mahfud MD To Make Church Facilities A Place For Independent Isolation Of COVID-19 Patients

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD (Irfan Meidianto/VOI)

JAKARTA - General Chairperson of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) Gomar Gultom proposed the church to be a place of self-isolation for COVID-19 patients. This was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD during a virtual dialogue, Wednesday, July 28.

"We encourage churches to change church facilities in the form of messes and guest houses to be transformed into independent isolation rooms," said Gomar in a written statement, Thursday, July 29.

However, he still asked for a hospital that could carry out monitoring. "So that if an emergency occurs, it can still be handled," he said.

Furthermore, Gomar said PGI would continue to assist the government in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only health problems, this church union will also help solve economic problems.

"Mr. Coordinating Minister, we from PGI and all churches in Indonesia are with the government to tackle this COVID problem. First is the health problem or the control of the virus, secondly we participate in educating the public to better understand the current situation, several churches also take part in solving the problem. economic problems," he said.

Complementing it, PGI General Secretary Jacky Manuputty also proposed to Mahfud MD to organize a humanitarian solidarity movement involving interfaith leaders to deal with the pandemic. "Maybe it can be sounding symbolically with religious leaders," he said.

He said, PGI is currently taking part in handling the pandemic. Evidently, there are already several churches in Jakarta and South Sulawesi that have become self-isolating places whose health workers come from existing resources and work closely with the COVID-19 Handling Task Force.

For PGI's commitment, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD expressed his appreciation and ensured that cooperation would be strengthened in the future. This includes implementing the proposed plan for the humanitarian solidarity movement.

"It's time for us to act together with concrete actions that build solidarity. We have 6 deputies who can take care of things like this later. This can be planned quickly and well," he said.

He admitted that he had recorded a number of inputs and criticisms that had been submitted by PGI. Later, this record will be considered in handling COVID-19.

"Thank you, pastors from PGI, for urging churches to participate in the process of handling COVID-19, including vaccination and then providing places and services for the people," he concluded.