PCR Test Prices Are Still Expensive, DPR Asks Officials To Take Strict Action On Cheaters

Deputy Chairperson of Commission IX DPR from the Golkar Party Faction, Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena (Nailin In Saroh/VOI)

JAKARTA - The government again requires the PCR test as a requirement for prospective passengers on Java-Bali and outside Java-Bali flights with PPKM levels 1 and 2. However, the booming demand for PCR tests has made the price of the test soar.

Especially, in areas with tourist destinations such as Bali. Almost all PCR test locations on the Island of the Gods are overloaded, in fact, PCR Express tests reach a price of Rp. 1.9 million with test results coming out after 4 hours.

In response, the Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the DPR, Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, asked law enforcement officials to take firm action against individuals or parties who have cheated on the price of the PCR test.

"Because it has clearly violated what was ordered by President Jokowi," said Melki to reporters, Monday, October 25.

The Golkar politician emphasized that in the current situation, people should not tolerate people who deliberately ignore President Jokowi's orders. Moreover, the obligation of the PCR test is an effort to properly handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We also ask the leadership of the Ministry of Health and related institutions to provide a broad appeal to various parties," said Melki.

In order to strive for a fair and equitable PCR Swab effort in this country, Melki suggested that there be an acceleration to carry out the testing process no more than 12 hours at an affordable price.

"So the price is not something that can be played with various arguments that faster time is more expensive," said the legislator for the East Nusa Tenggara electoral district.

In addition, according to Melki, the government must open up the widest possible space so that various parties who are able to seek good, cheap, affordable Swab PCR kits can be available in all cities, regencies, connecting areas. For example, NTT.

"It is at the point of movement of people that PCR Swabs are prepared, you can also hold Mobile PCR. It can't be more, if more, the authorities must take action. And it must be spread throughout the country, especially in provincial capitals," he explained.

Once again, Melki requested that there be a PCR test whose results could come out before 12 hours. If necessary, the price must be below Rp. 200 thousand.

"5 months ago, the governor of West Kalimantan said that Rp. 300,000 had been profited in Pontianak. More people participated in the PCR Swab at a low price, rather than being expensive, difficult to afford, becoming a game and making it difficult for us," concluded Melki Laka Lena.

Jokowi Orders PCR Prices to Drop to IDR 300 Thousand

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan admitted that the government had received a lot of criticism over the mandatory requirements for PCR tests for airplane passengers and antigen swabs were no longer valid.

Therefore, President Joko Widodo ordered his staff to lower the price of the PCR test to Rp. 300 thousand. Currently, the highest tariff for PCR costs in Java-Bali is Rp. 495 thousand and Rp. 550 thousand outside Java-Bali.

Not only that, continued Luhut, Jokowi also ordered the validity period of the negative PCR test results as a travel requirement to be relaxed to 3x24 hours.

"The president's directive is that the PCR price can be lowered to Rp. 300,000 and is valid for 3 x 24 hours for plane trips," Luhut said in his statement, Monday, October 25.

Responding to criticism of the mandatory PCR requirements for air transportation travel agents, Luhut asked the public to understand that this PCR policy was implemented to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

He said, the mandatory PCR test policy, which is currently only being implemented for domestic flight passengers, aims to balance the easing given to the community in the tourism sector, along with the decline in PPKM levels in various regions.

"We see the risk of spreading is increasing due to population mobility which has increased rapidly in recent weeks," explained Luhut.