Jokowi asks for ‘bureaucratic flexibility’ in dealing with pandemic

JAKARTA, Sep 8, 2020, The Jakarta Post. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has emphasized the importance of bureaucratic flexibility in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country, while maintaining government integrity amid the inherent challenges of the ongoing emergency, The Jakarta Post reported.

Streamlining existing policies is crucial to accommodate the current mitigation efforts, according to the President. “We still need time to [recover] from this crisis.

The government still really needs [bureaucratic] flexibility and streamlined procedures,” he said during a meeting with the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) that was livestreamed on the Presidential Secretariat’s official YouTube page on Tuesday.

He went on to say that, since the government was expected to work quickly and efficiently amid the pandemic, it should not be hindered by complicated regulations in accomplishing its goals.

Jokowi called on the BPK to stay on the same frequency as the government in responding to the crisis. “I hope every auditor is on the same frequency in prioritizing the interests of the people and the nation,” he said.

The government previously pledged to cut bureaucratic red tape to accelerate healthcare spending, including disbursing incentives to medical workers working on the frontline of the pandemic.

On Monday, Jokowi vowed that the country would remain focused on ensuring health and COVID-19 mitigation to ensure the survival of all aspects of the nation’s development, including the country’s economy.