President Jokowi Prioritizing Public Safety over Bureaucracy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at Tuesday's state-financial management examination meeting asserted the importance of putting people’s safety above complicated administrative procedures, which is why the government has slashed bureaucracy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“The safety of the people must be prioritized compared to our self-made complicated procedures, which is due for an overhaul,” the president said at the state palace on September 8.

According to Jokowi, the current pandemic has forced central and regional administrations, along with police and military institutions, to take extraordinary measures in facing health and economic crises that may have not been seen previously. 

Starting from the evacuation of Indonesians abroad, quickly preparing hospital facilities, establishing isolation facilities, and providing the needed medicines and healthcare equipment, all in a short period of time.

“All of this was done extraordinarily, in ways that are not normal, not the standard. All had to be done quickly under a simple procedure. For the sake of public safety,” said President Jokowi.

“Since the beginning, I have ordered entire government instances to put forth transparency, accountability, and innovation.”

Read: Jokowi Asserts Health Protocols Are Non-Negotiable in 2020 Election

EGI ADYATAMA