Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government remains committed to continuing the development of the Red and White Vaccine despite the discourse of merging the Ministry of Research and Technology with the Ministry of Education and Culture.

During a press teleconference in Jakarta on Thursday, governmental spokesperson for handling COVID-19 Wiku Adisasmito highlighted the government’s keenness for the Red and White Vaccine to serve as a solution to the problem of the COVID-19 national immunization capacity.

Moreover, the government is upbeat about the Red and White Vaccine fulfilling the COVID-19 vaccination requirements of the global community.

"Development of the Red and White vaccine is the result of innovation by the nation's children and is the country's intellectual asset for long-term investment, and this vaccine will be fully supported by the government," Adisasmito emphasized.

Speaking in connection with research institutions, the spokesperson noted that the government’s decisions will be based on deriving optimal benefits and ensuring the least possible losses.

"With regard to the agenda, we urge the public to support the government’s decisions that should be in the interests of the community," Adisasmito stated.

During a plenary session in Jakarta on Friday, April 9, the House of Representatives (DPR) approved the formation of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology as well as the Ministry of Investment.

Formation of the two ministries aligns with the results of the House's Steering Committee (Bamus) decision following a discussion on President Joko Widodo’s letter regarding the consideration to change ministries.

The House's Steering Committee (Bamus) meeting arrived at a decision to merge some of the duties and functions of the Ministry of Research and Technology with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology as well as the formation of the Ministry of Investment to boost investment and job creation.
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Translator: Indra P, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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