Suspicion Of Business At Rp300 Thousand PCR Test Price, PKS Politician: India Sets Rp100 Thousand, Why Can't We?

Illustration (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The government plans to lower the PCR price to Rp300 thousand. This is in line with the discourse of its application to all modes of transportation in the country ahead of Christmas and New Year.

This plan was previously stated by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. He said the PCR price of Rp300,000 had received instructions from President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

However, Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician Netty Prasetiyani Aher assessed that the high price of PCR tests in Indonesia is fraught with business interests compared to health interests.

According to her, if the government prioritizes health interests, the price of tests that are now required for airplane passengers can be cheaper.

"The price of Rp300 thousand is still high and burdensome. If there is no business interest, it should be even cheaper. India sets the price below Rp100 thousand, why can't we?," said Netty, Wednesday, October 27.

The member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives regretted that the PCR test obligation was not accompanied by the government's efforts to reduce the burden on the community. Because according to her, the price of a PCR test of Rp300 thousand is still too high. Moreover, these conditions will also be mandatory for land and other modes of transportation.

"This means that all non-air transportation passengers who incidentally come from the lower middle class must use PCR. This is called burdening the people," said Netty.

In addition, the West Java legislator also highlighted the mechanism for implementing PCR as a screening method. Where, requires someone to quarantine while waiting for the PCR test to come out. In these conditions, she said, there was a chance that the person concerned was exposed to the virus.

"PCR is a screening method. While waiting for the results of the PCR test to come out, a person must be quarantined. But in many cases people are free to roam around during that waiting period. So when the test comes out negative, even though he has been infected or is positive for COVID-19, "concluded Netty.