UGM Master and Doctoral Study Program of Leadership and Policy Innovation organized an online seminar last Saturday (29/8) in the afternoon. The discussion raised the theme “Experience of Regional Level in Implementing Covid-19 Handling Policies”. It was held through the Zoom platform, and broadcast live on the YouTube channel of MDKIK UGM.
There were several representatives from local governments invited to share their experiences and steps to tackle and deal with the Covid-19 spread. They are Dr. Elly Engelbert Lasut, M.E (Regent of Talaud Islands), H. Surunudin Dangga, S.T., M.M. (Regent of Konawe Selatan), Reynold Rizal Umbra, M.Epid (Mimika Regency Covid-19 Task Force Team), and Dr. Mohammad Uswanas, M.Si. (Regent of Fakfak).
Each of these regions reveals that there are many similarities in terms of handling and overcoming Covid-19. This condition is due to centralized or directives on handling this pandemic from the central government. Therefore, regional governments need to adjust.
However, some of them have taken their initiatives in manufacturing-related policies. As Uswanas stated, he decided to carry out a lockdown policy first compared to the national policy or big cities in Java on March 26, 2020, while Jakarta was around mid-April 2020.
“This seems like it is against the center’s direction, but the policy is under Law No. 21 of 2001 concerning Special Autonomy for Papua Province. Article 59, paragraph 2 of the law explains that it is the duty of a regional ruler, whether governor or regent, to protect the community,” he explained.
Besides, Mimika has also implemented several other policies, such as assisting students migrating outside the region. Talaud Regency also does this. Meanwhile, other areas, although they were not implementing this policy, they also pay attention to the education sector with their respective systems.
The four speakers above sum up and reveal the patterns of handling and handling Covid-19 in each region have their characteristics according to their needs. However, their focus is similar. It is still about health, education, and economic fields.
According to Prof. Dr. Muhadjir Darwin, the Head of the UGM MDKIK Study Program, there are admittedly many initiatives in various regions, apart from the central government. However, he said that they should not have forgotten the directives from the central government, because integration between governments, both central and regional and regional with other regions, is essential to control the rate of this disease.
“Hopefully, other regions can take lessons from this online seminar from the local governments that are present today. We understand that many innovations and policy initiatives can be carried out earlier by local governments, especially in some urgent situations,” Muhadjir concluded.
Author: Hakam
Translator: Natasa A