Luhut: As TNI Officers, We Should Appreciate The President's Directions

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan (DOK Setkab)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menkomarves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan views President Jokowi's direction to ministers in handling the pandemic as worthy of appreciation.

"I think with my experience as a TNI officer, seeing directions that make the decision process fast and not many people imagine. The president's role in directing is thoughts and steps that we really appreciate," said Luhut in a virtual press conference, Monday, August 9th.

Luhut emphasized that in dealing with the pandemic, Jokowi is the highest commander. Meanwhile, he and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartato serve as regional commanders like organizations in the military.

This has led Jokowi to assign Luhut to be the coordinator for handling the pandemic in Java and Bali, while Airlangga is to be the coordinator outside Java and Bali.

"Therefore, the decision ordered to appoint the Coordinating Minister for the Economy to handle outside Java (and Bali) and I handle Java-Bali I think is the most appropriate decision," he explained.

Luhut also explained that the government has extended the implementation of PPKM Level 4 to Level 2 in Java and Bali from August 10 to August 16, 2021.

There are 26 cities or regencies that have dropped from level 4 to level 3. This shift in the level of handling this pandemic can be seen from the significant improvement in conditions on the ground.

"Regarding this decision, it will be stated in the instructions of the Minister of Home Affairs in more detail," said Luhut.

Although the rules are the same as before, the extension of the PPKM in Java and Bali was carried out with a number of easing. First, the government allowed the opening of malls or shopping centers in four cities.

The government will conduct gradual trials for malls or shopping centers in areas with level 4 in the city of Jakarta, Bandung Surabaya, Semarang, with a capacity of 25 percent over the next week and with strict health protocols.

The government emphasized that only people who have been vaccinated can enter the mall and must use the PeduliLindung application. Then, children under 12 years old and over 70 years old will be prohibited from entering the mall temporarily.

In addition, the government is also preparing protocols for export-based essential industries so that starting the week it can be operated in cities that implement PPKM Level 4 with a capacity of 100 percent of staff and divided into at least two shifts.

Furthermore, the government has also allowed places of worship in areas that implement PPKM Level 4 with a maximum capacity of 25 percent or a maximum of 20 people.