By: Alfisyah Kumalasari )*
The move taken by the House of Representatives to ratify the Perppu Covid-19 into Law is considered appropriate. The enactment of the Perppu into Law is expected to provide a foundation for the Government in taking extraordinary steps in ensuring public health in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many parties also support and suggest this ratification.
The Indonesian Parliament finally passed the Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perppu) No. 1 of 2020 concerning Financial Policy and Financial System Stability for Handling Covid-19 Pandemic into Law (UU).
The plenary meeting which was held at Gedung Nusantara, Senayan, Jakarta on Tuesday, the Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament Dr. (H.C) Puan Maharani as the chairperson of the meeting asked for approval from Board members who were present both virtually and physically. During the meeting all factions agreed.
According to the Chairman of the House of Representatives Budget Board (Banggar), Said Abdullah, there are four things that make this Perppu so comprehensive and simultaneous that its implementation must be supported. He also ensured that the Indonesian Parliament would continue to monitor and provide positive input on the government’s acceleration after the enactment of the Perppu into law.
The four things are handling Covid-19, social assistance, economic stimulants for MSMEs and cooperatives, as well as anticipation of financial system stability.
The community must believe the steps taken by the government are correct and predictions of economic recovery will be achieved. Such as the optimism expressed by the government in Macroeconomic Framework and Fiscal Policy Principles (KEM-PPKF), which are expected to accelerate economic recovery and accelerate reforms to be achieved in 2021.
In addition, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati representing the government stated that taking extraordinary steps undertaken by the government and related institutions needs to be accommodated with appropriate legal products in urgent conditions.
The purpose of establishing this Perppu is to provide a legal basis for the government in setting extraordinary policies and steps in the field of state finance and the financial sector in dealing with the humanitarian, health, economic, financial crisis as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.
On the other hand, the form of support from business people for the enactment of this Perppu can be seen from their appreciation.
Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Livestock Agrifarm Industry, Juan Permata Adoe, said that efforts by the government had shown the initial steps of economic recovery, although they were still lacking. The value of the postponement of the principal debt allocated is IDR 34.15 trillion, even though it needs IDR 285.1 trillion. It seems clear that this regulation has the aim of maintaining national economic stability and the business climate in a country that is undergoing an epidemic test.
The Deputy Chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce hopes that the Covid-19 Act will be a start for fulfilling Kadin’s hopes that the government increase the stimulus to Rp1,600 trillion, which will be used for a social safety net program worth Rp600 trillion until the end of 2020, funds for health Rp400 trillion and funds for recovery economy and industry amounting to Rp600 trillion.
LPPM Forensic Accounting Researcher at the Nahdlatul Ulama University in Yogyakarta, Bambang Arianto, assessed that Covid-19 which was the epidemic had caused many micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to be affected. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was possible for MSMEs to go out of business because of difficulties in opening outlets after the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) regulations.
Therefore, the government needs to immediately issue intensive reducer Covid-19 to save the fate of MSME entrepreneurs and Bambang encourages the government and DRP to immediately accelerate the discussion of the Draft Employment Bill (Ciptaker Bill).
)* The author is active in the Jakarta Press and Student Circle