VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati believes that 2021 is a challenge to accelerate economic recovery through cooperation with several stakeholders.

"With this extraordinary cooperation, we can keep our economy from experiencing a very deep contraction, although in the second quarter of last year, it was inevitable that we recorded a contraction of more than five percent, but in the third, fourth quarter, it has started to recover," the finance minister stated during a talk show titled "Stakeholder Meeting for the Acceleration of National Economic Recovery" in Semarang, Thursday.

Indrawati highlighted the need to expedite economic growth in 2021 to offer job opportunities and restore the people's welfare.

"In such a scenario, the government not only utilizes the State Budget instrument, but the president along with the coordinating minister for economic affairs also continue to support reforms in our investment activities. Hence, the Job Creation Omnibus law is very important," she pointed out.

Indrawati believes that economic recovery could not be achieved by solely relying on the state budget in the wake of the huge burden borne due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hence, the government along with related stakeholders -- Bank Indonesia and the Financial Services Authority (OJK), including the Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS) -- continue to work together, not only to restore the economy but also to make the national economy stronger.

"This is a complementary part, the State Budget instrument. However, thereafter, the governor of BI along with the monetary, OJK, and then reforms in the structural sector will help Indonesia not only recover but also grow back stronger and better," she remarked.

The finance minister stressed that society and the business world played a crucial role in speeding up economic growth. Indrawati believes that the government will continue to monitor and align several policies in accordance with the dynamics in society.

"The most important aspect is that the public can partake in protecting against COVID, and that the business world has begun to have the confidence to bounce back," she stated.

The government is optimistic that economic growth in 2021 would lie in the range of 4.5 to 5.3 percent, at a better position as compared to minus 2.07 percent recorded last year.

Health management in 2021 continues to be the government's key priority. The budget expended by the government also rose, specifically Rp309.6 trillion, a significant increase from Rp113 trillion in 2019.

Comprehensively, the budget for testing and tracing reached Rp9.3 trillion; treatment costs totaled Rp32.3 trillion; incentives for health workers touched Rp7.2 trillion; vaccination program, Rp36 trillion; and communication, Rp1.2 trillion. (Antaranews)

Jakarta. Accelerating vaccination and reducing the number of COVID-19 cases are keys to usher in global economic recovery, according to Bank Indonesia (BI), Indonesia's central bank.

"This is the key answer, why global economic recovery now is on an increasing trend," head of the Macro Economy Group of Macro Economy Policy Department at BI Riza Tyas Utama stated here on Thursday.

Utama noted that global economic recovery was apparent from the manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) that had shown an increasing trend above 50, with the US Services PMI reading at 50 and India at 52.8.

Utama noted that the recovery was also apparent from the increasing Consumer Confidence Index in the past few months.

However, economic recovery of all nations had yet to be at the same pace, as some countries, such as the United States, China, and India, have shown quick economic recovery, while some others are not.

"The implementation of vaccination is one main factor for this disparity in recovery between developed nations and the emerging markets," she remarked.

Countries that could achieve fast economic recovery were those supported by the acceleration of COVID-19 vaccination, in terms of the supply, implementation, and availability of healthcare equipment as well as other supporting aspects.

Utama believes that the acceleration of vaccination and response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia is relatively better and faster as compared to Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

"We are faster than those neighboring countries that I mentioned, while geographically, we are vaster and we have more islands and a bigger population," she pointed out. (Antaranews)

Jakarta. Some 30 foreign nationals were administered the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19 in Sanur, Denpasar City, Bali, on Thursday.

"Some 30 foreign nationals have been vaccinated. They live here, as they hold limited stay permits (KITAS) and Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS) cards, so they are employed and registered here, and accordingly, they deserve health service facility and vaccination security. Some of them also have a population identity number. They can be vaccinated here since they have become residents here," Head of Sanur Kaja village I Made Sudana stated.

Sudana noted that some 10 thousand residents in Sanur Kaja will receive the COVID-19 vaccine. These residents hold a resident's identification card (KTP), are above 18 years of age, and have self-reporting certificate (SLTD).

"If they are non-residents of Sanur but have stayed here (Sanur), then they have to secure a SLTD. If foreign nationals have the NIK, KITAS, and BPJS, they can be vaccinated, and we will ask for their e-ticketing," he remarked.

Most foreign nationals come from Australia and Sweden. They are employed as teachers in international school and general manager in the tourism sector.

In addition to the foreign nationals, tourism operators are also accorded priority to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. They were also required to present an ID card or written statement from the companies that employ them.

Vaccination of the 10 residents is expected to be completed in a week. The AstraZeneca vaccine has been used in three green zones or COVID-19-free areas.

According to the Bali Provincial Health Office, some 20 thousand vials of the AstraZeneca vaccine will be distributed to three green zones, comprising 8,960 vials for Nusa Dua, 4,300 vials for Ubud, and 4,300 vials for Sanur. (Antaranews)

Jakarta. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) bore witness to the COVID-19 vaccination of people in Central Maluku District on Thursday.

"Ladies and gentlemen in Central Maluku District. This morning, I observed the vaccination (of people) here. Alhamdullah (Thank God), it ran smoothly, and its management is good," President Jokowi remarked at the residence of King Hitu in Central Maluku District, Maluku Province.

State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Maluku Governor Murad Ismail, and other relevant officials accompanied the head of state during the visit.

"We are optimistic that it (the vaccination) would continue until we achieve our set target," he remarked.

Some 70 percent of Indonesia’s population should be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to build herd immunity, the president stated.

"What does it mean? COVID-19 may not come again and will not spread from one person to another. Hence, we can stop it," he affirmed.

Jokowi stated that it was long way until all Indonesian citizens are vaccinated.

"Our target is the end of this year. Insya Allah (God willing), they all will have received vaccination if the vaccination program runs as planned. As I have seen, (the vaccination of residents) at the port, Leimena hospital, and here ran well," the president noted.

The head of state further expressed gratitude to all healthcare workers and vaccinators for their hard work to vaccinate the people against COVID-19 every day.

"I hope this pandemic would soon be over and the national, regional, and provincial economies would recover, so we can continue work as usual in our daily lives. I thank the ladies and gentlemen for their support and motivation to receive the vaccine," he stated.

The head of state further inaugurated the Dr J. Leimena General Hospital, the first of its kind in eastern Indonesia, and observed the mass vaccination of interfaith figures, teachers, and public service officers.  (Antaranews)