Luhut Gives Leaks On PPKM Continuation: Easing Is Done Periodically

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan (Photo: Irfan Meidianto/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment held a virtual discussion with retired TNI and Police related to the handling of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Java and Bali, yesterday.

In this discussion, Luhut explained the progress of handling the pandemic carried out by the government through PPKM (Community Activity Restrictions). Luhut said the government evaluates PPKM in Java and Bali every week.

Luhut said that regions that have shown improvement in handling the pandemic will receive a gradual easing of PPKM. This is done to improve economic conditions.

"In order to also improve the people's economy, the pattern of opening PPKM will be held periodically and adjust to field conditions", said Luhut in the discussion, Sunday, August 30.

Luhut did not mention which activities would be relaxed again in the extension of the PPKM in Java-Bali which ended today. However, he stressed to the public that currently the use of the PeduliLindung application is important for activities.

Because, said Luhut, PeduliLindingi can monitor and discipline the Indonesian people in their activities because the vaccination data is recorded in the application.

"Later on, the public will also have to get used to using the PeduliLindung application as part of promoting 3T which of course must be supported by all parties", said Luhut.

In addition to explaining the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic from a health perspective, Luhut also provided information on economic conditions in Java-Bali during PPKM. He said that people's purchasing power continues to increase.

"The increase in public consumption in Java-Bali occurred in all classes and the highest in the middle class", he explained.

On that occasion, Luhut emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic would continue for a long time. The government and society must think about how to coexist with COVID-19.

Therefore, Luhut asked that the handling of the pandemic should not be brought into the realm of politics. Because, he said the government would do its best to deal with COVID-19.

"Never bring it into the realm of politics, ethnic thoughts, religion, because this issue is cross-ethnic, religious, rich, poor. This is our common enemy. Believe me, we do our best because we are also with the best team", he concluded.