If a lockdown is announced, the government needs to ensure the fulfillment of people's needs. (Image via IDN Times)

YLKI: People must not suffer during lockdown

Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) reminded the Indonesian Government that the consumers’ rights must be fulfilled if the lockdown is announced. The Indonesian Government’s plan to announce lockdown emerge lately to tackle the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Speaking on Tuesday, YLKI Chairman, Tulus Abadi, asserted that logistics supply is the most important thing during the lockdown. Therefore, even though Indonesia has announced lockdown, access for logistics supply should never be closed. Ideally, Tulus said that the basic consumers’ needs have to be fulfilled by the country.

Tulus gave Australia as an example. While many countries had announced lockdown, Australia gave each of its citizens AU$1,000 to fulfill their needs during the lockdown. For Indonesia, Tulus said that it is regulated in the Constitution. If the basic needs of the people cannot be fulfilled, then one country should never announce lockdown.

He reminded that the people should be able to purchase things amid lockdown. Therefore, the government should try to keep the price reasonable and access open during the lockdown.

Tulus also added that there should be compensation during the pandemic such as a 30 – 50 percent discount for electricity, phone, and water bills especially for the regions implementing lockdown.

The reason is that the government has to prevent social unrest from happening.

Source: https://bit.ly/2QYIZrl