TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto balked at providing a clear response on the possibility of annulling the premium hike policy of the Health Social Security (BPJS Kesehatan) for Class III or non-wage workers (PBPU) participants.

"We have issued and agreed on the solution, but the authority is on the one who has the money. I only issue regulations," said Terawan after a meeting with the House of Representatives Commission IX in the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Monday, January 20.

However, he pledged to ask the agency’s reasons for raising the insurance premium.

During the meeting, most Commission IX members questioned the hike and rejected such a plan until the government completed the data cleansing.

The council also urged the government to seek other ways to tackle the deficit of the national health insurance (JKN). They also accused the government and the agency of violating the agreement of the meeting.

Responding to the council’s remarks, Terawan said that he had asked the agency to slash the plan, underlining that the policymaker is the agency instead of the ministry.

After the meeting, BPJS President Director Fahmi Idris said his side had no intention to against, defying, or betraying the meeting results.

Fahmi claimed he only executed the meeting results under the regulations and worked based on its authority and responsibilities that have been arranged and had not exceeded it. "BPJS certainly must comply with statutory provisions."

Fahmi explained that the premium hike of BPJS Kesehatan was the result of a ministerial-level meeting led by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, which was attended by among others Health Minister, Finance Minister, and Presidential Chief of Staff.

CAESAR AKBAR