Moeldoko: Indonesian Government Prioritizes Beyond Economy amid Pandemic

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko has said the Indonesian government has prioritized four aspects and not just the national economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Indonesia has joined an extensive list of global economies whose growth has been hampered as a result of the coronavirus pandemic,.

The Indonesian government’s approach to the coronavirus pandemic has not been without criticism.

Read also: WHO Cautions Indonesia on New Normal Preparations

Despite a significant rise in daily Covid-19 new cases, the country’s central and some provincial governments have pushed ahead in enforcing a new normal transition.

This move has been largely criticized for its approach to public health and safety.

Moeldoko stressed that there are three additional sectors that the central government is giving attention to, on top of concerns for the economy.

“There are four aspects that the government is managing. First is health, then social aspects followed by the economy and finance matters. Health remains the government’s top priority in mitigating the coronavirus pandemic,” said Moeldoko on June 23.

“It isn’t true that the government only cares about the economic aspect,” said Moeldoko.

Read also: Indonesia’s Economy to Grow 0.1 Percent This Year, Says Economist

The Indonesian government has allocated a combined total of Rp 695.2 trillion to the four sectors.

The government’s budget for the healthcare sector totals to Rp. 87.5 trillion.

Social welfare programs receive a significant portion of the government’s budget at Rp. 203.9 trillion.

Around Rp. 226.72 trillion has been allocated for the economy whilst Rp. 168.3 trillion is for SMEs and corporations.

The breakdown of the budget was shared by Moeldoko during a webinar.

Policy orientation

Moeldoko also shared how the government has been working hard to prevent large parts of the population from suffering as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

It is for this reason that Moeldoko finds macro-oriented policies important as the Indonesian government seeks to address the coronavirus pandemic.

Read also: Indonesia Starts Domestic Production of PCR Test Kits

“What are the government’s macro-oriented policies in addressing the Covid-19 pandemic? There are three main things. The first is for Indonesian society to be truly safe from the Covid-19 virus,” said Moeldoko.

The Indonesian government has also sought to ensure that people are able to put food on the table despite the tough impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Expanding the country’s social safety nets has been an additional effort put forth by the government.

The last goal Moeldoko mentioned was the government’s target of empowering SMEs and corporations to remain operational thus reducing layoffs. 

(Writer: Dian Erika Nugraheny | Editor: Diamanty Meiliana) 

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/06/23/16354891/moeldoko-tak-benar-pemerintah-hanya-jalankan-aspek-ekonomi-dalam-penanganan