Opening Session Period, DPR Strengthens Supervision Function For Handling COVID-19

DPR Speaker Puan Maharani (photo: MPR/DPR/DPD Annual Session documentation)

JAKARTA - Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, chaired the Plenary Meeting for the Opening of the First Session Period for the 2021-2022 Session Year. Puan ensured that the DPR would strengthen the government's supervisory function in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

In her speech, Puan conveyed that there were many detrimental impacts on the community due to the COVID-19 pandemic that had occurred for 17 months in Indonesia. He said that almost all community activities stopped during that time, and this resulted in a decline in the welfare of the people in the health, social, economic and cultural fields.

"In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic situation and its wide-ranging impact, the State cannot give up. The state must make the best efforts so that the state can continue to carry out the tasks of state goals," said Puan at the Plenary Meeting of the Opening of the Session I of the DPR for the 2021-2022 Session held at the Nusantara Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, August 16. .

The purpose of the state in question is to protect the entire Indonesian nation and all of Indonesia's bloodshed. In addition, to promote public welfare, educate the nation's life, and participate in carrying out world order.

Puan appreciated the government's swift efforts in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic situation and its broad impact with the various policies and programs that have been carried out. Starting from recovery in the health sector, social recovery, economic recovery, and saving the national economy. Puan then gave a message to the government.

"In the future, the government should be able to improve its performance, because the presence of the state is increasingly expected by the people to be able to protect their lives and future," he said.

In order to improve the supervisory function in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, Puan said that the House of Representatives (DPR) through the Council Apparatus (AKD) will hold joint meetings with work partners and work committees. This is within the framework of implementing the principle of checks and balances against government.

"The supervision of the Indonesian House of Representatives will still focus on handling the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts. The DPR RI will ensure that the state is present to provide protection to the people in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Puan.

Puan added, there are a number of things that the DPR will pay attention to in the function of supervising the COVID-19 pandemic in the future. For handling in the health sector, Puan asked the government to accelerate vaccination evenly throughout the country.

“Improve testing, tracing, and treatment. Optimizing the implementation of PPKM policies to be able to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, and government supervision of the arrival of foreign nationals (foreigners) during PPKM," he added.

Regarding the handling of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Puan reminded the government to anticipate people affected by the decline in welfare. This is because the pandemic causes a reduction in people's income and purchasing power, layoffs, and other economic impacts.

"Then regarding the Government's handling of orphans caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the social assistance program and distribution must be carried out in a timely, effective and targeted manner," said Puan.

Furthermore, the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK) ensures that the DPR will oversee government policies so that they continue to run optimal public services for the people. According to Puan, the DPR also focuses on hospital services for people who seek treatment not because of COVID-19.

The supervision of public services underlined by the DPR during the pandemic period is regarding education, transportation, licensing, and certification. Puan emphasized that these services must be carried out with due regard to health protocols.

"The DPR RI also pays attention to the synergy between the central and regional governments in implementing budgets and programs to handle the COVID-19 pandemic. An effective pattern of cooperation is needed between the central government and regional governments, so that the people can get the maximum benefit," he said.

Meanwhile, regarding the diplomatic role of the DPR RI during this session, it will be directed at efforts to build global synergies and collaborations to jointly face the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate global crises that have the potential to occur.

“Our struggle with the world community in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing. The spike in COVID-19 cases is still happening, hundreds of millions of people lose their jobs, fall into poverty, and are even threatened with starvation," said Puan.

The Indonesian House of Representatives also highlighted the limited vaccine production capacity which resulted in uneven distribution and access to vaccines. As a result, there are obstacles to efforts to recover the world from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Therefore, in various inter-parliamentary cooperation forum meetings, the Indonesian House of Representatives Delegation continues to voice global mutual cooperation to ensure equitable and equitable access to vaccines," explained Puan.

"In addition, the DPR RI also reminds the parliaments of friendly countries about the importance of joint efforts in carrying out regional and global economic recovery in order to maintain the welfare of the people around the world and avoid the global economic crisis that can create a new form of neocolonialism," he continued.

Puan prays that the COVID-19 pandemic can end soon so that people can return to healthy and active lives.

"We also pray that all members of the community who have been exposed to COVID-19 will recover soon and return to healthy lives with their families. Amen," concluded Mrs.

The Plenary Session of the Opening of the Session of the DPR was held after the Annual Session of the MPR and the Joint Session of the DPR-DPD. The Annual Session of Parliament this time was shorter and was attended physically by 60 people with strict health protocols, and virtually by hundreds of people.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) was physically present for

submit the Introduction/Government Statement on the Bill on the State Budget for the 2022 Fiscal Year along with its Financial Note.