TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, on Thursday attributed Bali's descending COVID-19 spread in the past two weeks due to an alternative herbal drink.

The number of cases in Bali dropped despite the reopening of tourism sites across Dewata Island.

“The governor said a local herbal drink or arak (traditional liquor) is consumed. Either this is true or not, what is important is that [infectious cases] have declined, I could support that,” said Luhut Pandjaitan in a video conference on Thursday, August 13.

In terms of local remedies to fend off coronavirus, Minister Luhut also showed support for a herbal drink once promoted by Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini that is also claimed to be potent against COVID-19.

“Those are social wisdom. The same with Ibu Risma in Surabaya. She created a herbal mangosteen juice, with thousands who have recovered,” said Luhut.

He further explained that such herbal remedies were never anticipated by the international community and said it is up to the creators to continue their alternative treatments even if they face cynicism from the international community.

According to the map of the COVID-19 spread accessed through covid.go.id on Wednesday, August 12, the cases in Bali amount to 3,892 with 455 either treated or in self-isolation, 3,388 recoveries, and 49 deaths.

Read: Luhut Pandjaitan Preps Foreigners Work from Bali Program to Recover Tourism

CAESAR AKBAR | ANTARA