Speaker of DPR RI Dr. (H.C.) Puan Maharani speaks in a press conference. Photo: Eno/Man

Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Dr. (H.C.) Puan Maharani expressed her deep concern about the increase COVID-19 cases in several regions in Indonesia. Maharani called on the central and local governments to step up coordination and be consistent should they decide to re-impose Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) policy, 

“The central and local governments must ensure greater coordination. Should PSBB be re-imposed, its implementation and supervision must be consistent,” stated Maharani in a written statement received by Parlementaria, Thursday (10/9/2020). She urged the central and local government to appreciate the sacrifice of the people who are forced to limit their daily and economic activities during PSBB. 

Maharani went on to say that the public put so much hope that the government would be able to curb and handle this pandemic, including to optimize the distribution of social assistance to those who had lost their jobs. “Don’t waste the sacrifice of the people who have stayed at home. The regulations of PSBB should not only exist on paper, but they have to be consistently implemented and strictly supervised,” stressed Maharani. 

Lawmaker from the Central Java V constituency also highlighted the increased number of new confirmed cases as there were thousands of young people aged under 19 infected by the virus. She had previously reminded the government to pull the emergency brake and prioritize people’s health and safety in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Therefore, she urged both central and regional governments to further familiarize people with health protocols and impose the protocols until family-level community. Along with the strict health protocols, she added, the government must also encourage people to live a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise.  

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) said she appreciated women and mother who can still prepare healthy food for their family and follow a strict healthy lifestyle amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “Women and mother are on the frontlines toward a healthier nation,” she said. 

Furthermore, Maharani urged the government to intensify the testing, tracing and treatment (3Ts) programs in curbing the COVID-19 transmission as the capacity of COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests was still far below national target. 

Therefore, the government must work together with all elements of community to increase the PCR test coverage significantly and supervise the tariff imposed to make it affordable for the people. “The government must protect the poor and marginalized groups so that they have equal access to health service, particularly with regard to the PCR test, in order to curb the COVID-19 transmission while waiting for the vaccine is invented and distributed,” Maharani concluded. (ann/sf)