What Indonesia Needs to Learn to Contain the COVID-19 Pandemic
Picture: Markus Spiske
The security of people is now being challenged, not by a conflict or war, but a disease that has become pandemic and put the whole world into a halt: COVID-19. Globalization might have brought positive impacts as it allows countries and people to stay connected, share knowledge, information, goods, and technology among them. However, it is worth noting that globalization also has another dimension. The COVID-19 pandemic reflects how disease transmission becomes possible across borders and jeorpardizes people’s health security. According to the World Meters Info live update of COVID-19 on Wednesday, 15 April, there have been 2,082,372 confirmed cases and 134,560 deaths in the world.
In a globalized world, where everything and everyone are connected, it seems unlikely for any country to escape the COVID-19 pandemic. Take North Korea for an instance. As reported by Al Jazeera, analysts were sceptical that the country was free from the virus even though the government has closed the borders with China. Moreover, considering the poor quality of the health system in North Korea, it is doubtful that the country could trace people who might have got infected.
Similar to North Korea whose credibility in reporting its cases of COVID-19 is questionable, Indonesia is also under pressure to provide transparent information regarding its COVID-19 data. A study conducted by Harvard University earlier this year using a mathematical model and the intensity of people movement in an area showed that there should have been COVID-19 cases in Indonesia. Harvard’s finding was rejected by the Indonesian health minister, Terawan Putranto, in a move that showed overconfidence. He insisted that Indonesia was free from the virus. Furthermore, Terawan challenged Harvard researchers to visit Indonesia to ensure that the country has sufficient tools and technology to detect COVID-19.
The Indonesian government might have been offended by Harvard’s findings, and retorted that Indonesia has enough tools and strong credibility to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is important to understand that research works are helpful to prepare the potential risks and damages of a particular phenomenon. Unfortunately, whilst Indonesia is less attentive to the research findings, COVID-19 has already spread across the archipelago. With the high density of people crossing Indonesia’s borders, either for business or tourism, it is hard to deny that Indonesia would be spared from the virus. The study conducted by Harvard University came into reality when cases of COVID-19 were finally reported in Indonesia. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo announced the first two cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia on Monday, 2 March. The patients had been isolated at the Sulianti Saroso hospital, Jakarta. As of Wednesday, 15 April, World Meters Info reported that there were 5,136 cases of COVID-19 and 469 deaths in Indonesia. Similarly, Institut Teknologi Bandung predicted that there would be more than 8,000 cases of COVID-19 in mid April in Indonesia.
Besides undermining the potential contagion of COVID-19 and possessing weak credibility to prevent the pandemic, Indonesia also has limited resources in its healthcare system. The Jakarta Post reported on 16 March that in Indonesia only 49 out of 132 referral hospitals were “ready” to take COVID-19 patients. The initiative to import test kits from China was also deemed too late, as the tools arrived in Indonesia on 19 March when the COVID-19 has been a pandemic. With a population of about 270 millions, Indonesia is lacking of sufficient laboratories to test COVID-19 samples, reflecting the country’s limitation in technology development. According to Surat Keputusan Menteri Kesehatan Nomor HK 01.07/MENKES/182/2020 issued by the Health Ministry, there are only 12 laboratories to test COVID-19 samples in Indonesia. As a comparison, South Korea has prepared 600 testing clinics for COVID-19 tests, and allowed more private laboratories to run the test alongside the public ones. Meanwhile, Hong Kong has developed diagnostic tests and empowered the laboratories in major hospitals in every city. Indonesia’s neighbor, Singapore, has allowed private laboratories to conduct tests and produce test kits massively. In more details, State News reported that Singapore has prepared 1,000 clinics and well-trained doctors to contain COVID-19.
To provide better protection for its citizens, Indonesia has to learn from other countries who have been successful in containing the COVID-19 pandemic. Indonesia also needs to learn from less successful countries as to not make the same mistakes. Below are five intakes that can be learnt by the Indonesian government.
First, conducting massive and rapid tests, as well as ensuring the government to uphold the equality principle. People with no symptoms should be tested as they could potentially be virus carriers. The New York Times reported that the reason why Italy has been the center of COVID-19 was because some Italian officials decided to only test people who have symptoms. With fatality rate of 8.6%, it would not be a surprise if Indonesia could be the next center of the pandemic after Italy.
It is also important to consider that political dimension plays a significant role in any kind of situation. The COVID-19 pandemic is not just about a health issue but also politics. The potential of nepotism might occur during this pandemic as those in power could access better healthcare. Kompas reported that members of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) requested that the government would provide COVID-19 test for their family on 25 March. The decision sparked public outcry and was condemned by some civil societies. The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation urged the government to prioritize the marginalized people with symptoms and healthcare workers. Meanwhile, Change.org, has collected more than 36,000 signatures from people opposing the policy. Following public outcry, Jokowi rejected the DPR’s plan. Similar to Indonesia, the United States (US) was accused of prioritizing the elites in giving out COVID-19 tests. Politicians and celebrities could get easier access to COVID-19 test compared to other Americans.
Second, focusing more on the strong coordination in COVID-19 prevention between officials. On the national level, what political leaders need is the sense of unity and strong cooperation to enhance policy effectivity in preventing the wider contagion of COVID-19. As many of Indonesian officials have different principles to manage the pandemic, they need to start setting aside their differences and learning to work together as a team. For example, the lockdown policy was implemented differently in different areas. Whilst some areas have started imposing partial lockdown, other areas such as Papua and Maluku imposed a stricter measure by closing seaports and airports temporarily.
On the global level, we need to understand that a strong international cooperation is important as the COVID-19 has become a pandemic. Recently, Indonesia accused Singapore of hiding the information of COVID-19 suspects. Singapore denied the accusation and stated that its government had given the information to the Indonesian Health Ministry. Considering that Indonesia and Singapore are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), it is important for them to have a strong cooperation. Regardless the “little tension” between the two countries, Jokowi stated in a different occasion that Indonesia was open to Singapore’s aid and had received personal protective equipment (PPE) from the Singaporean Consul-General in Batam.
Another example of regional cooperation can be seen in the South Asian region, under an initiative of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The SAARC might be less effective in terms of regional political organization compared to the European Union (EU), but it has shown a strong leadership in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic despite the presence of political warfare in the region. As reported by the Economic Times, India has offered USD 10 million of emergency fund for the SAARC nations and set up Integrated Disease Surveillance Portal and the SAARC Disaster Management Centre to trace COVID-19 cases, conduct research on the virus, and coordinate measures.
Third, transparency and strategic budget allocation. Indonesia’s efforts to allocate budget need to be appreciated as the government has shown a good will to contain the pandemic. However, transparency and strategic allocations are important to consider. According to Kumparan, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani has allocated IDR 62.3 trillion to contain the pandemic. The budget would be used for the procurement of medical equipment, provision of hospitals, and business. The budget allocation will be monitored by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
Additionally, the ASEAN Briefing reported that Indonesia has allocated a second emergency stimulus package of USD 8 billion for the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Jakarta Post added that the Financial Services Authority (OJK) would extend the loan payment deadlines for the SMEs so they could cope with the pandemic effects. It is important to understand that the SMEs have a significant role in Indonesia’s economic development. Bank Indonesia noted that the SMEs have contributed to the 57% of Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP), as well as absorbing employment. Thus, budget allocation should be comprehensive, not only for the health, but also economic sector.
Likewise, some countries in the EU have taken economic measures. Italy has offered EUR 25 billion to sustain the economic stability in the country. The budget would be used for topping up wages, supporting exporters, giving extra money for the health care services, encouraging banks to give relaxation of loan payment to the companies and households, and allowing house owners to postpone the mortgage payments. Meanwhile, Germany announced its plan to revive the economic growth by allocating up to EUR 750 billion. In more details, as many as EUR 50 billion would be allocated for the self-employed and small businesses with 10 or less employees, whilst a total of EUR 600 billion would be allocated for larger companies, which could be nationalized if necessary. Besides Italy and Germany, France has prepared EUR 45 billion to delay companies’ taxes and payroll charges, and guaranteed EUR 300 billion from banks to maintain credit flowing to the economy.
Another important sector for budget allocation is research. Kompas revealed that the Indonesian Ministry of Research and Technology has allocated IDR 20 billion for research, development, and technology implementation related to COVID-19 containment. Similar to Indonesia, the European External Action Service reported that the EU would allocate EUR 140 million for vaccine research, diagnosis, and treatment. Indonesia and the EU’s investment on research should be maintained to produce robust education and health sectors, which would be beneficial in the long term.
Fourth, enhancing control of the supply chain and the distribution and use of medicine and PPE. In a capitalized world, the market does not necessarily mean to take 100% role in the economic system. Government action is sometimes important to regulate and balance the goods supply chain. People panicked buying face masks in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic has caused a shortage which put frontline workers such as doctors and nurses at risk. The supply chain is also being challenged as manufacturers are struggling to meet excessive demands from hospitals globally, reported Bloomberg. To minimalize such shortage during a global health crisis, the government needs to exercise a more assertive role in monitoring the production and distribution of PPE.
Besides monitoring the supply chain of PPE, the government should also survey the distribution and use of medicine for COVID-19 treatment. Some countries might have used chloroquine to ease the symptoms of COVID-19, but it is not yet proven to be effective in treating COVID-19, and thus has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In some cases, the use of chloroquine is permissible with a doctor prescription. The World Health Organization (WHO) added that there is currently no vaccine found to treat and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Regarding this issue, a better solution to prevent panic buying chloroquine or related drugs is by providing more information about the drugs and monitoring their distribution in public. Indonesia needs to learn from Nigeria where some people were poisoned from chloroquine overdose.
Fifth, the government of Indonesia needs to be transparent in providing information on COVID-19, including how to prevent the virus from spreading. On 19 March, the Indonesian National Police released Maklumat Kapolri Mak/2/III/2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The edict stated that police could disperse large crowds and impose punishment to people conducting public events gatherings such as cultural and religious meetings, seminars, festivals, sport events, and mass demonstrations. CNN Indonesia explained that Articles 212, 216, and 218 of the Indonesian Penal Code could be justifications to impose the punishment. Unfortunately, it seems that the information did not reach the public evenly and efficiently. According to The Jakarta Post there had been more than 1,300 public gatherings dispersed by police since the edict was issued. The police effort needs to be appreciated as it showed the spirit of the judicial body to protect and guarantee public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it would be better if the government also shows its accountability by sharing and disseminating the information massively, particularly with vulnerable communities who do not have enough literacy capability and strong awareness of the issue.
In addition, strong enforcement is also important to create deterrent effects for those who disobey the order. Prison punishment might not be a solution at current situation, but imposing a fine could be an alternative. For example, Singapore has issued the Infectious Diseases (Composition of Offences) Regulations 2020 that allows people committing less serious breaches of orders aiming at containing Covid-19 to be fined instead of being charged in court. Interestingly, Financial Times said that self-isolation might be hard to achieve in a democratic country compared to autocratic country like China. Thus, law enforcement from judicial bodies could be a solution to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Those are five ideal steps that the government of Indonesia needs to take to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. After all, we, the Indonesian citizens do deserve protection and “happiness”.
Yusnan Hadi Mochtar is Research Intern at INADIS’ Unit of Area Studies.