By: Putu Prawira) *
The polemic for the paid Covid-19 vaccine has been a matter of debate in the public recently. Responding to these dynamics, the Government, under the direction of President Joko Widodo, finally announced that vaccines were free or unpaid. President Jokowi’s assertiveness towards the polemic is the state’s effort to accommodate the aspirations of the community, including in providing free vaccines.
Ir Joko Widodo as the head of state has decided to make the Covid-19 vaccine free for the public. This was conveyed by the president through the Presidential Secretariat Youtube channel on December 16, 2020.
Through his uploaded video, Jokowi said that after considering a lot of input from the public and recalculating, recalculating state finances, I would like to say that the Covid-19 vaccine to the public is free.
He also ordered all levels of cabinet and regional government to prioritize the vaccination program in the 2021 fiscal year.
Jokowi also gave instructions to the finance minister to prioritize and reallocate from other budgets related to the availability and free vaccination so that there is no reason for the public not to get vaccines.
This news is certainly a breath of fresh air for Indonesia both in terms of health and the national economy.
This policy is of course relatively new after the previous government had plans to divide the two concepts of vaccines, namely free and independent.
On the previous occasion, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani had prepared a budget of IDR 60.5 trillion for the procurement and distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine in Indonesia.
This budget is a continuation of the procurement of 1.2 million doses of vaccines that have just entered Indonesia on December 6, 2020.
In detail, Sri Mulyani explained the plan to use the fund allocation. First, worth IDR 18 trillion for the next stage of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Second, the anticipation of immunization and vaccination programs reaching Rp. 3.7 trillion. Third, the procurement of vaccine laboratory facilities and infrastructure reaches Rp 1.3 trillion. Fourth, funds for research and development as well as PCR tests conducted by the Ministry of Health Rp. 1.2 trillion. Fifth, for the evaluation of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) of Rp. 100 billion.
BPOP is also tasked with evaluating the quality, safety and effectiveness of vaccines before distribution to the public. In addition, the funds will also be used to reserve class III National Health Insurance (JKN) contributions.
The Ministry of Finance also added fiscal facilities for the import of goods required for the procurement of the Covid-19 vaccine and the implementation of vaccinations in the context of tackling the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Director of International and Interagency Customs of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise of the Ministry of Finance, Syarif Hidayat, said that this fiscal facility has been listed in the Minister of Finance Regulation (PMK) Number 188 / PMK.04 / 2020.
In the PMK, the government exempts import duty and / or customs, Value Added Tax (PPN) or Luxury Sales Tax (PPnBM) and Income Tax (PPh) Article 22.
Products that obtain these facilities include vaccines, vaccine raw materials and equipment needed in vaccine production, as well as equipment for vaccination.
Apart from that, the government will also provide facilities in the form of procedural facilities for the release of goods with rush handling services. This exemption is granted by submitting an application and submitting complementary customs documents and submitting a guarantee.
He said that guarantees were not needed if the Minister of Finance Decree (SMKM) for exemption had been issued, the lartas permit had been fulfilled and a physical examination was not carried out.
This facility can also be provided through the Bonded Logistics Center (PLB) or the release of the Bonded Zone (KB) or Bonded Warehouse (GB), Special Economic Zones (KEK), and Free Zones, as well as companies receiving the Ease of Import Export Purpose (KITE) facilities.
Syarief explained that the application for this facility is submitted to the Minister of Finance through the Head of the Customs Office where the goods are entered, enclosing the details of the quantity and type of goods along with the estimated customs value and the permit of the related technical agency, if the imported goods are a limitation.
Meanwhile, legal entities or non-legal entities that receive assignments or appointments from the Ministry of Health must attach a photocopy of their Business Identification Number (NIB) or Taxpayer Identification Number (NPWP) and a letter of assignment / appointment and recommendation from the Ministry of Health.
Overall, the issuance of this PMK is expected to provide legal certainty and an opportunity for various parties to meet vaccine needs in the context of handling the Covid-19 pandemic.
With the presence of the state in the implementation and provision of vaccinations in the country, the prevention of the spread of Covid-19 will be realized immediately.
) * The author is a contributor to the Cikini Press Circle and Students
