VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Central Executive Board Chairman of the Young Indonesian Entrepreneurs Association (BPP HIPMI) Mardani H. Maming believes that the COVID-19 vaccine, to be offered free of charge to people, will infuse positive sentiment for national economic growth.

"I am ready to be vaccinated first to support government programs. We really laud the president's step to be able to provide vaccines for all Indonesian people. This is a concrete step of the government to ensure health and certainty for all Indonesian people. We believe this program will lend a positive sentiment for our national economic growth," Maming noted in a written statement in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Maming expressed the belief that the provision of vaccines can expedite and bolster Indonesia’s fight against COVID-19, so it will accelerate recovery in various sectors, especially in the economic sector.

"The economy will be able to recover soon and minimize unemployment due to the pandemic," he remarked.

Maming affirmed that HIPMI will support the vaccine program through early inoculation for all entrepreneurs, who are members of the organization.

Furthermore, he laid emphasis on the importance of the public not hesitating to receive the COVID-19 vaccine since the government will ensure that the vaccine to be administered is safe and has no other detrimental effects.

"In principle, we instruct all members of HIPMI throughout Indonesia to follow the government's recommendation. This is since several people are consumed by hoaxes about vaccines. We actually help straighten them out and have belief in the available vaccines," he affirmed.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo had earlier remarked that the COVID-19 vaccines will be administered to all citizens, without exception, regardless of whether they are registered with the Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan).

The president made the statement while handing out Working Capital Assistance of Rp2.4 million to merchants at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, on Friday.

"Hence, the vaccines are for all people without exception, so that we can return to normal. It also has nothing to do with BPJS members. There is an issue that only those holding a BPJS card are (going to be) vaccinated,” Widodo remarked.

To create communal or herd immunity, a minimum of 70 percent of Indonesia's population, or 182 million people, will need to be vaccinated, he pointed out.

Vaccines will be provided free of charge, he stated.

Widodo affirmed that notifications on the vaccination will be issued through the community health clinics or urban villages.

"Everyone, all residents, can participate in the vaccination. However, it will be arranged by the village or clinics near us," he added.