i have discussed this with my wife and children, and we all agree with the idea of donating my salary to the COVID-19 task force, starting from May until this pandemic is over
Saumlaki, Maluku (ANTARA) - Tanimbar Islands district head Petrus Fatlolon has decided to donate his salary to fund the efforts of the district government’s COVID-19 task force, starting from May till the time the coronavirus outbreak ends.



"I have discussed this with my wife and children, and we all agree with the idea of donating my salary to the COVID-19 task force, starting from May until this pandemic is over," he told journalists here Monday.



Fatlolon said the handling of the COVID-19 outbreak in Tanimbar Islands District, Maluku Province, needs huge funding and poses a challenge owing to the lay of its administrative areas, which comprise islands.



He also urged district government officials to support the fund-raising program for the task force's endeavors to fight the COVID-19 crisis.



Petrus Fatlolon's move resonates with calls that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has earlier echoed to the entire nation.



In a recent statement, President Jokowi highlighted the importance of fostering the spirit of "gotong royong", or mutual cooperation, arguing that the government cannot work alone to fight the spread of COVID-19.



"The entire nation's participation is indispensable," President Jokowi declared in a video statement from the Bogor Presidential Palace over the weekend.



The current situation has left people ill at ease. But, with the spirit of "gotong royong", Indonesia would be able to come out of the current crisis, the President said and urged citizens to uphold the spirit of mutual cooperation across the country by helping one another.



"The caring and sharing movement must be made public. This is not aimed at showing off, but at keeping hope alive, and inspiring others to do the same good deeds," he noted.



The coronavirus disease initially struck the Chinese city of Wuhan at the end of 2019. Since then, it has spread to at least 202 countries and territories, including Indonesia, with a massive spurt in death toll.



This has prompted the World Health Organization to declare it a global pandemic. Public health and economies in many countries are reeling from the impact of the pandemic.



With COVID-19 infections spreading to all 34 provinces in Indonesia, President Jokowi has declared the coronavirus outbreak a national disaster.



As of Sunday (April 19), Indonesia has recorded 6,575 confirmed COVID-19 cases. While the death toll from the virus had touched 582, as many as 686 patients have been discharge from hospitals post recovery. (INE)


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Translator: Shariva A, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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