The attempts are also aimed at fulfilling the citizens’ constitutional rights.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) praised the government's hard work and apposite policies in handling the COVID-19 pandemic that are aimed at protecting all citizens of the country.

"We fully support reallocation of the state budget and the National Economic Recovery program by conducting various social protection programs, refocusing the health budget, as well as reallocating micro, small, medium enterprises and corporate support," the Assembly's speaker, Bambang Soesatyo, stated.

"The attempts are also aimed at fulfilling the citizens’ constitutional rights," he stressed at the annual session of the MPR and a joint session of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) at the Parliamentary Complex here on Monday.

Moreover, the government offers various forms of direct cash assistance to handle the economic and social impacts of the pandemic. The assistance comprises village funds, business incentives, and discounted PLN electricity rates.

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Furthermore, the pandemic has not only impacted the economic, social, and cultural sectors but also had a psychological aspect on the community, as several of them lost their near and dear ones, he pointed out.

Hence, the speaker urged all Indonesians to continue to adhere to strict health protocols, maintain physical distancing, and limit direct interactions.

Soesatyo also encouraged the public to get vaccinated at the earliest to prevent and reduce the transmission and mortality rate of the virus as well as to support the government’s policies.

Moreover, the speaker is optimistic of no further incidents of forced retrieval of COVID-19 confirmed dead bodies and forgery of vaccine certificates.

"I also expect no further incidents of hoarding of drugs, oxygen, and medical equipment as well as negative counter-narratives that hinder our attempts to deal with the pandemic," Soesatyo emphasized.


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Translator: Muhammad Zulfikar, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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