The Speaker of the Commission IX of the People's Representative Council (DPR), Felly Estelita Runtuwene. (Image via Nasdem)

DPR: We disagree with the sanction for the COVID-19 vaccine

The Speaker of the Commission IX of the People's Representative Council (DPR), Felly Estelita Runtuwene, called out the action of the Indonesian Government in issuing the Presidential Decree (Perpres) no. 14 of 2021 on Vaccine Procurement and Vaccination against COVID-19. 

According to her official statement on Monday, Felly who is also a member of the Nasdem Party stated that the Indonesian Government had violated the agreement made with DPR regarding sanctions for people refusing the COVID-19 vaccination.

According to the upcoming agreement made in the Work Meeting between Commission IX and Health Ministry, National Agency of Drugs and Food Control (BPOM), and Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan), it is said explicitly that there was no provision nor sanctions for people refusing to get COVID-19 jabs.

As the Central Government had violated the agreement, Felly questioned the necessity for the previous work meeting and agreement. Moreover, Felly accused the Perpres no. 14 of 2021 also violated Chapter 61 of DPR's Rules of Conduct No. 1 of 2020. Chapter 61 stated that the decision and/or conclusion from the commissional work meeting or joint work meeting are binding between the DPR and Indonesian Government, and mandatory to be implemented by the Government.

She said that the Perpres no. 14 of 2021 also contradicted the suggestion from the World Health Organization (WHO) that prioritizes socialization to the people from advertisement to direct socialization by the medical workers. The Perpres signed by the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), will create a bleak perception toward the COVID-19 vaccine.

As the Perpres "threatens" people unwilling to get the COVID-19 vaccine, antipathy will grow. Instead of fines and imprisonment to the exception of social assistance funds, Felly asserted that Commission IX asked the Indonesian Government to rely on social campaigns for the benefit of the COVID-19 vaccine.

COUNTER-ATTACK FROM THE GOVERNMENT?

Separately, the Spokesperson of Jokowi's administration, Fadjroel Rachman, asserted on his Monday's tweet that the 7th President of Indonesia always prioritizes approaches based on humanity, dialog, and persuasion for the COVID-19 vaccine. The conscience of 181.5 million Indonesian people is far more important than administrative sanction and punishment.

Days ago, Jokowi released the Perpres on Vaccine Procurement and Vaccination against COVID-19. The Perpres also included sanctions and punishment for the people who refuse to be vaccinated. The sanctions cover the exception of social assistance funds, the suspension of the government's administrative services, and fines.

To gain immunity, 181 million Indonesian people have to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For the mission, some 426 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine are required.

Source: https://bit.ly/3qofxdU