Member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House Nurhasan Zaidi urged the Social Affairs Ministry to immediately submit a social impact program over the coronavirus outbreak, calling on the ministry to disburse the Social Assistance Fund (Bansos) soon, particularly for the Conditional Cash Transfer (PKH) and Staple Food Coupons amid the crisis that has weakened people’s economy.

“People begin to feel the social economy impact due to the Covid-19, especially those who are poor, people with lower income, daily workers, and informal sector workers. Social distancing campaign and stay-at-home policy to contain the spread of the virus will worsen the impact," he said after Commission VIII’s virtual internal meeting on Tuesday (31/3/2020).

The Prosperous Justice Party politician urged the government to formulate a program such as the Unconditional Cash Transfer (BLT) for poor families that are affected. The commission is also willing to help accelerate the handling of the coronavirus outbreak and anticipate its social impact. He criticized the government’s action in the early stages of the outbreak for not responding swiftly, putting consideration out of focus and being over confident, whereas the issue is vitally critical for the country’s life as the spread of coronavirus is unseen and rapidly spreading.

“Therefore, Commission VIII will hold marathon meetings with our counterparts form ministries and agencies. We will focus on accelerating the handling of the Covid-19, considering the leading task force is the National Disaster Mitigation Agency ( BNPB), we are planning to meet with the agency. We will also review the ministry’s budget to be reallocated especially to purchase personal protective equipment (APD), ventilators, face masks, and other medical equipment to give treatment to those test positive for the virus,” the legislator from West Java IX constituency said. (mh/sf)