By: Raavi Ramadhan) *
The government under President Joko Widodo’s instructions has made many efforts to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic . These efforts include the formation of a Covid-19 task force to handle , increase health facilities , increase the budget allocation for health, to provide social assistance . The community also appreciates the policy because it provides many benefits.
The government has issued various policies in dealing with Covid-19. Not only those that have an impact on health and the economy, but also specifically as policies for Indonesian Muslims ahead of Ramadan. Muhammadiyah Secretary Abdul Mu’ti considered that the government policy related to Ramadan worship at home during the co-19 pandemic was appropriate in order to prevent the spread of the virus. This policy is in line with the fatwas of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Muhammadiyah, Nahdatul Ulama (NU), and other community organizations.
The Muhammadiyah Central Board also said that the policy of the Coordinating Ministry of Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK) related to the handling of the 19th plague was appropriate. Various attempts have been made, such as inviting all experts to discuss in handling co-19 and coordinating all policies with the relevant ministries underneath.
The ministry of leadership Muhadjir Effendy also appealed to all ministries and institutions to reallocate the budget for handling co-19.
On the other hand, a number of economists have positively considered government policies in dealing with the impact of the co-19 pandemic, regarding the stipulation of a budget of Rp.
Research Director of the Indonesian Center for Reform on Economics (CORE) Piter Abdullah in a written statement, explained that the government policy contained in the fiscal stimulus had three objectives.
The first goal is an effort to improve health services in order to cope with the co-19 pandemic. Second is to provide assistance to the affected lower class. And finally to increase the resilience of world businesses in the face of co-19.
Piter thinks this policy is good enough. In increasing the resilience of the business community amid the pressures of the epidemic, a policy of easing tax emerged. Because without tax easing, the business world is feared to have a large enough impact and can result in worse after-effects such as Termination of Employment (FLE).
The Chairperson of the Indonesia Budget Center (IBC), Arif Nur Alam, also revealed that the government’s economic policies are part of the movement to anticipate an economic recession. The policy should be appreciated so that the objectives and benefits are right. Budget policies must be managed effectively, efficiently, accountably and transparently.
With this policy the government can provide assistance to disadvantaged people. Such as the electricity fee waiver policy on 450 VA power and 50 percent discount on subsidized 900 VA power.
The existence of this fiscal policy can help the Indonesian economy in anticipation of recession, and optimize also maintain the stability of the Indonesian economy.
Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva gave a positive assessment of the Indonesian government’s policies in dealing with the economic and social impacts of the co-19 pandemic.
Kristalina considered in the written statement of the Indonesian Permanent Mission of Geneva that Indonesia had adopted a significant and targeted policy to support the economy. In fact, the IMF specifically praised the good coordination between Bank Indonesia and the Ministry of Finance in handling the co-19 pandemic as well as providing protection provided by the government to MSMEs.
According to him, the policy will not only have a real impact on the field, but will also help improve the flow of the Indonesian economy when the situation has improved.
The policies issued by the government have been carefully considered from various aspects. All of that refers to the welfare and goodness of the Indonesian people themselves. For this reason, good cooperation from various parties is needed so that the policy achieves its objectives and benefits appropriately.
) * The writer is a student of the University of Pakuan Bogor