“The House of Representatives (DPR) supports the acceleration of the handling of the Covid-19 outbreak, which requires large funds for the procurement of medical equipment and infrastructure both for prevention and treatment,” DPR Speaker, Dr. (H.C.) Puan Maharani said in a press release, on Monday, 23 March 2020.

“DPR supports the government’s measure to reallocate state budget for the prevention of COvid-19 Pandemic, as the government has this authority. The authority is mandated in the Law on State Budget 2020,” said the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) politician.

According to Puan, the government must utilize the budget to procure medical equipment and facilities for implementing the free and mass Corona screening test; to add personal protective equipment for health care workers; to add hospital facilities; to provide free treatment of Corona patients, and to intensify efforts to ward off the spread of the Corona virus. “Regarding the economic impact due to the Corona outbreak, the DPR calls on the Government to prioritize on strengthening the public purchasing power,” she said.

Furthermore, Puan added, that the state budget reallocation could be utilized for programs to strengthen public purchasing power affected by Covid-19 outbreak, especially to those who lost income due to the social distancing policy. It could also be used to provide incentive for health care workers involved in treating patients of Corona virus.

“The government must also anticipate soaring inflation, especially due to the increase of prices for basic necessities and medical equipment related to the handling of Corona outbreak. The Government, through the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Health, Logistics Board, and the State Owned Enterprises need to coordinate in assuring the availability of food and personal protective equipment due to the surge in demands and purchases of those goods,” explained Puan.

On the other hand, Puan also called on the government together with the Bank of Indonesia to continue coordinating to prevent the rupiah from weakening. In addition to the effective monetary policies, government’s measurable and credible steps in handling the Corona outbreak would gain market trust and could support rupiah.

“DPR through its relevant commissions will oversee the budget reallocation to ensure its utilization is focused on the virus control and its economic impact prevention programs,” the politician from the Central Java V constituency concluded.