TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - House of Representatives (DPR) Commission V member of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Fraction, Syahrul Aidi Maazat, has criticized the central government for their overlapping policies in the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Many regulations and policies are taken without synchronizing with all stakeholders," Syahrul said in his written statement, on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.

In addition, Syahrul listed four relevant stakeholders in the handling of COVID-19, which are the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration as well as the Ministry of Social Affairs.

As a result of the overlapping and fickle regulations published by the four ministries, he continued, regional governments are often puzzled in carrying out their work.

On top of that, Syahrul claimed that he has found rejection within the ranks of the regional governments, ranging from village to neighborhood association (RW) chiefs, who do not comply with the regulations the central government has enacted. “So they just do nothing and wait,” he said.

According to Syahrul, handling the pandemic will be easier as long as coordination remains well directed. As a result, Syahrul has asked for the central government to reevaluate their work in handling the COVID-19 outbreak, including policy synchronization and simplifying bureaucracy.

In evidence, Syahrul pointed out that the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration should use the latest data from neighborhood unit or association chiefs in their distribution of direct cash aid (BLT).

“Don't be fixated on the poverty criteria that are used under normal circumstances," he added.

FRISKI RIANA | DIO SUHENDA (INTERN TRANSLATOR)