Mahfud MD: No One Has Absorbed More Than 20 Percent Of The COVID-19 Budget Until The End Of July

Documentation - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD said the government will continue to monitor the distribution of social assistance (bansos) to the people. "We will continue to monitor social assistance," Mahfud said during an interactive dialogue with three Indonesian religious organizations , namely Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI), Representatives of Indonesian Buddhists (Walubi) and the Indonesian Confucian High Council (Matakin) online, Jakarta, Thursday, July 29, reported by Antara. However, Mahfud provided information during the dialogue event, that the use of the budget for handling COVID-19 is still not optimal. In fact, so far the majority of local governments have only used 20 percent." -19 until the end of July, no one has absorbed more than 20 percent, it's already the end of July, so there's only a small amount. That's why we are currently find out how to overcome this," Mahfud said in a press release. In addition, Coordinating Minister Mahfud also expressed his gratitude for the various inputs and criticisms submitted by Walubi, Matakin and PHDI. Mahfud took many notes to coordinate with other ministers including President Joko Widodo. In the dialogue, Mahfud received many constructive criticisms and inputs from the three religious organizations, so that the government could maximize its efforts to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. ), Xs Budi S Tanuwibowo considered that to overcome this COVID-19 pandemic there must be a collective effort from all parties, including interfaith leaders in Indonesia. "This must be done simultaneously. All religious leaders, we are ready to be involved. Don't just provide supplies, our prayers are done everywhere. But prayer without real work will be in vain," said Budi.

He also reminded all religious leaders not to be "offside" in their attitude. One of them is by giving incorrect statements, especially not from their expertise. Because, he continued, the issue of the COVID-19 virus is the domain of health science which cannot be judged arbitrarily. It is feared that it will mislead the public and disrupt efforts to overcome the pandemic. "This virus issue is the domain of science. We as religious leaders should not give false information that the prayer is over, in fact it is not," he said. Budi also advised the government to pay more attention to the distribution of social assistance to the community. Don't let certain people take advantage of this difficult situation for personal gain." Regarding social assistance, we are grateful that there are generous donors everywhere, but we ask the Coordinating Minister not to let there be any leaks. Yes, because in this world there are many angels but there are also many demons who can bear to see the suffering of the people," said Budi. On the same occasion, Chairman of the DPP Walubi Siti Hartati Murdaya invited all parties not to panic and think positively that the corona virus outbreak could be overcome." The key is togetherness," he said. According to him, many neighbors around his house were infected with the corona virus, but they were able to recover because of the active role of their neighbors who helped them to recover. medicine, 4 to 5 must be negative," said Siti Hartarti. She also appreciated the hard work of the central government and all jaran and related agencies who have tried to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. "In essence, thank you, I am proud of the government. Hopefully this spirit will continue and the public will not be too worried, there must be a way out," he said. Meanwhile, the Head of the PHDI Center, Wisnu Bawa Tenaya, emphasized that PDHI is focusing on helping people who are experiencing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "PDHI always cooperates with the government. especially related to clean and healthy living behavior as well as related to worship according to procedures determined by the government," said Wisnu.