Disasters and ordeals from God amid the pandemic are misused (by certain parties) as tools to create chaosJakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has called upon all ulemas to partake in COVID-19 handling efforts by addressing the issue of public distrust in the government mitigating the impacts of the pandemic.
“Disasters and ordeals from God amid the pandemic are misused (by certain parties) as tools to create chaos. This is our duty as ulemas to protect (them) from the attempts to create distrust,” Amin stated in a press release received here on Tuesday.
Apart from the pandemic's impacts on the health, economic, and social sectors, another challenge faced by the government was distrust that potentially emerges in the community, he highlighted.
Related news: AP II Airports follow COVID-19 task force's flying protocols
Such distrust is caused by the influx of information that had yet to be confirmed, thereby fueling confusion among members of the public, he outlined.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and economic issues are used by certain parties to trigger public distrust in the government,” Amin pointed.
The vice president called to make internal efforts apart from outward approaches to tackle the current issue of disinformation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amin is upbeat about the ulemas playing an active role in safeguarding the Indonesian nation from the dangers of irresponsible issues.
Related news: Press must function amid pandemic: Vice President
“Apart from protecting and recovering from the pandemic whose dangers loom everywhere, what we also need to protect is the nation’s safety on a larger scale,” he remarked.
During the National Safety Prayers organized by Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the biggest Islamic organization, on Monday (July 26) night, the vice president urged all ulemas and the NU congregation to assist the government in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Handling COVID-19 is a duty since it is a part of the national responsibility that is also part of NU’s responsibility,” he affirmed.
Related news: Ensure public awareness of extended PPKM regulations: DPR member
Related news: Domestic travelers' vaccine card mandated in level 3, 4 areas
Translator: Fransiska, Juwita Trisna R
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
