Responding To Criticism Of Pandemic Handling, Luhut: Political Leaders Please Don't Comment If It's Not Clear

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan (DOK Setkab)

JAKARTA - The government has extended the Implementation of Level 4 Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) for one week until August 9. There have been a number of criticisms about the government not being serious about controlling the pandemic.

In response, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menkomarves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan asked political leaders not to criticize the government's handling of the pandemic.

"I beg you, all our political leaders, please don't comment if the comments are not clear," Luhut said in a virtual press conference, Monday, August 2.

However, Luhut admitted that the government did not prohibit comments from other parties. "If you want to comment, please feel free, we are very happy to provide detailed explanations to anyone in the Republic of Indonesia, because we have all of this," he said.

Luhut said that no country in the world has yet been able to claim that its territory is free from COVID-19, especially after the emergence of the Delta variant, which spreads more quickly.

In fact, the United States is currently experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases and is changing its pandemic handling strategy. Therefore, he asked all parties to support the government in controlling COVID-19.

"I hope that we are all one so that we are united for this. So, don't ever think that because of him this can be finished, no. This is not because of one person, but because we are a crowd," he said.

Previously, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) revealed the reason for the policy of limiting community activities could not be made with a long duration. This is why policies for handling the COVID-19 pandemic often change.

He said this policy change was made in line with the development of handling COVID-19.

"We cannot make the same policy (restrictions, ed) in a long duration. We must determine the degree of community mobility according to the latest data so that our choices are right, both for health and the economy," said Jokowi.

Even so, Jokowi reminded that any policies made by the government must of course be accompanied by the implementation of health protocols. According to him, the implementation of the protocol to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 is important and is the key and one of the main pillars.

"In any situation, discipline in carrying out health procedures is the key to people's health and livelihoods," said Jokowi.