The vaccinations and social aid were provided at three points: Cilegon City Square; Jamiatul Ikhwan Islamic Boarding School, Pasir Buntu Village, Tunjung Teja sub-district, Serang District; and Irhamna Bil Quran Islamic Boarding School in Pari village, Mandalawangi Sub-district, Pandeglang District, on Monday.
The activity was led by the head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police, General Commissioner Agus Andrianto, who is one of the alumni.
Andrianto said that the mass vaccination and social aid event were meant to assist Banten people in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
He lauded the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Police alumni from the Class of 1989, saying their collaboration made the event successful.
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"This vaccination and social service activity is also hosted to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the National Defense Force, and at the same time a series of 33 years of our service as members of the TNI and members of the Police from the Indonesian Armed Forces Academy Alumni of 1989," he informed.
He revealed that the alumni have been organizing vaccination activities and social services since 2020.
"We, the '89 Alumni of Indonesian Armed Forces Academy, must contribute by helping and assisting the community," he remarked.
He deemed the COVID-19 vaccination activity as a way to support government policies, and the policies of the National Defense Force Commander and the National Police Chief, in the handling of COVID-19.
He also explained that the National Defense Force and Police Force have a strategic role in dealing with COVID-19.
He said he expected the event would boost the formation of herd immunity among people under Banten Police jurisdiction, while also assisting the government in national economic recovery.
Governor of Banten, Wahidin Halim, who was also present at the event, lauded the alumni.
Halim highlighted that the vaccination and social service activities really helped the people in Banten Province.
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"Currently, the COVID-19 vaccination rate has reached 62 percent in Banten province. Only two more areas, such as Lebak and Pandeglang, are still below 40 percent (in terms of vaccine coverage). This is all thanks to the hard work of fellows from the national defense force and police force who helped us in expediting vaccination in Banten," said Wahidin.
Meanwhile, Andrianto said he also held a meeting with the Serang Police chief and Pandeglang Police chief on the virtual platform Zoom.
He said he advised the Pandeglang Police chief to make creative breakthroughs such as providing basic food packages, organizing door prizes, and other incentives so that the people would take part in vaccination programs.
Cooperation with the community and religious leaders is needed so that the vaccination program can cover more people, he added.
The '89 Alumni of Indonesian Armed Forces Academy aims to provide 30 thousand vaccine doses nationwide, and around 5 thousand doses have been earmarked for Banten province, he said.
The alumni have distributed 5 thousand social assistance packages to residents, he added.
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Translator: Mulyana, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
