Govt Has Yet to Ask for More China Help to Tackle Coronavirus

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian government has not planned to seek additional help yet from China that had succeeded in suppressing the coronavirus spread in its mainland, said Deputy on Political Communication and Dissemination of Information at the Presidential Staff Office, Juri Ardiantoro.

“There has been no plan yet until now,” said Juri to Tempo on Tuesday, March 24.

Earlier, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said his Chinese counterpart offered help to the Indonesian Government to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. The minister made the statement when he welcomed the arrival of the Military aircraft loaded with medical devices from China at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, East Jakarta.

Thus far, the Chinese government had handed over aid in the form of medical equipment including eight tons of personal protective equipment or PPE to be soon distributed to hospitals treating the patients of virus disease or COVID-19.

After passing the pandemic crisis, China starts to help other countries that are newly affected by the virus. Before helping Indonesia, China had deployed skilled medical personnel to Italy, which is being the largest active epicenter of the COVID-19.

Juri said that countries helping each other in this current situation is a natural thing. Indonesia also tries to give hands to other states dealing with a disaster. Thus, China’s help and other offers of assistance are common.

EGI ADYATAMA