Currently, we are in the process of reallocating (our budget for) the fourth phase that reaches the amount of Rp399.91 billion.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Religious Affairs Ministry has said it has reallocated Rp2 trillion out of its budget to assist the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The government is very serious about curbing the pandemic. Various ministries have reallocated their budgets to help the government’s program, including us,” Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said in a written statement issued here on Monday.

He informed that the reallocation has been carried out in several stages. In the first phase, around Rp483.54 billion of the ministry’s budget was reallocated to support the vaccination program, he said.

The second phase of reallocation was aimed at aiding the national economic recovery (PEN) program, while the third phase was directed at supporting the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted. The amounts were Rp712.78 billion and Rp385.46 billion, respectively, he added.

"Currently, we are in the process of reallocating (our budget for) the fourth phase that reaches the amount of Rp399.91 billion. It will be used to facilitate the enforcement of community activity restrictions (PPKM)," he informed.

The ministry has also taken other steps, including formulating a policy to reduce the single tuition fee (UKT) for State University of Religious Studies (PTKN) students, the minister informed.

In addition, the ministry has provided assistance in handling COVID-19 at various Islamic boarding schools, collaborated with the National Alms Agency (Baznas) in vaccinating teachers (kiai) and students (santri), as well as launched a free halal certification program for micro and small enterprises, he added.

The ministry has also disbursed Rp399.9 billion to support online learning activities in 2,666 madrasas through the Realizing Education's Promise - Madrasah Education Quality Reform program, he added.

"So, the Religious Affairs Ministry’s total reallocated budget for handling the pandemic has reached Rp1.981 trillion," he said.

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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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