Government's Steps To Extend PPKM Appreciated

Illustration (Photo: Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the Indonesia Regional Representative Council, Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin, appreciated the government's steps to continue the Implementation of Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM) until July 25.

"This is the right step in reducing the transmission of COVID-19 and reducing the community's need for treatment at hospitals that have overcapacity", said Sultan, Wednesday, July 21.

However, the Sultan continued, with the situation full of uncertainty over the COVID-19 attack, the government needs the support as well as the involvement of many other parties who are competent in dealing with the pandemic in determining the steps and policy schemes that will be taken in the future.

According to him, the former Minister of Health in the SBY era, Siti Fadilah Supari, is one of the right people for the government to involve in providing insights, considerations, and even the composition of policy strategies in the short and long term against the Coronavirus.

"I ask the President of the Republic of Indonesia to summon Mrs. Siti Fadilah Supari to the Palace and at the same time the government can provide space for formal involvement (special authority) in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia", suggested the Sultan.

The reason said the Senator from Bengkulu, in facing the current pandemic, the country needs a person who has real experience.

"The president needs full strength in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the right time for the president to involve as many people who are competent in their fields as possible, not only Dr. Siti Fadila Supari but people like the most experienced doctor (former Minister of Health) and of course there are many other experienced experts", explained Sultan

The Sultan said, Siti Fadilah Supari is an asset of this nation, especially in the face of a pandemic. Siti, he said, is a scientist and has rich experience in the bureaucracy as a minister in the government. In addition, he has published 150 scientific papers published in national and international journals.

Former Minister of Health, Siti Fadilah Supari, continued Sultan, as well as the main actor who played a role in overcoming the two flu pandemics in Indonesia last time.

"We want future policies to balance the challenges, where on the one hand, efforts to maintain national economic resilience will continue, but without abandoning the provision of public health services in the midst of the epidemic. The government can make it happen by involving experienced figures such as Dr. Situ Fadilah Supari and others", said the Sultan