ARTICLE

 

Cities and Covid-19: Indonesia's Respons

 

By:Ahmad Syamsi Bin Mahamad Peada@Mohammed

 

In this webinar consist of four panelist and one moderator. They are discussing about their point that had been given for them to present in that webinar.In my opinion of the panelist views is they were focusing in four points.first point is Covid-19 crisis on cities from the global perspectives.this point of view has been presented by Dr Brian Roberts. The Health, Social and Economic Impact of Covid-19 on Cities such as Opportunities and Risks Economic Recovery Plans and Strategies for Cities.The Post-Covid-19 Urban Future and Policy Implications and this is have been important lessons for Indonesia.

 

Next, COVID-19 TRI-IMPACT FOR CITIES The health crisis has become a major economic and social shock, and urban exposure and recovery are dependent on industrial composition, labour market structures, and trade openness. The crisis starkly demonstrates inequality between communities and areas, particularly in large cities, where vulnerable groups, such as migrants, the poor, and women, and elderly are most affected. The impact of Covid-19 varies greatly between cities. Covid began as a city disease. Covid-19 has revealed the city's extreme vulnerability and prompted us to reconsider our methods of operation. how urban tourism, food, and environmental systems are created and governed.

 

Then,the second point of this webinar was about national support on cities with responses and recovery strategy from the national perspective.This point was presented by Ir Dody Ruswandi. He was acting deputy for emergency management.In this perspective, More dedicated action needs to be focused on tackling underlying disaster risk drivers, such as the consequences of poverty and inequality, climate change and variability, unplanned and rapid urbanization, poor land management and compounding factors such as demographic change, weak institutional arrangements, non-risk Informed policies, lack of regulation and incentives for private disaster risk reduction investment, complex supply chains, limited availability of technology, unsustainable uses of natural resources, declining ecosystems, pandemics and epidemics.In Indonesia the government has support on cities response such as add hospital because of Covid 19 and in Jakarta has 98 hospitals, increased Capacity of Covid-19 Laboratories is all Provinces from 7 to 378 Labs, Provide National Emergency Response Fund to support Covid-19 Response, Built Emergency Field Hospitals in several Provinces,and Provide Hotels for covid Isolation.

 

For the third point was challenges and experiences on managing covid 19 crisis in megacity from the local perspective.In my opinion it was very challenging to manage it because this pandemic happen surprisingly.DR Suharti said population of human in Jakarta was 10.5 millions, and more than ¼ population living in poverty.why many people were living in Jakarta?this is because Jakarta is Indonesia’s center of economy and business.And the last point in that webinar is about OECD’S policy note:city policy responses and global experience that had been presented by Mr tadashi matsumoto,Head of Unit,Division and Cities,Urban Policy and Sustainable Development,OECD.The OECD support cities and region like cross cutting policy guidance,peer exchange and stake holder engagement and urban data.Then,OECD urban work in south east asia for instance in Vietnam and Indonesia.Mr tadashi also said cities are at the epicenter of Covid 19 crisis due to dwindling tax revenues,deepening inequalities,record unemployment,rising health cost and icreasing on stretched on public services.Next,in this presentation I have learned ten lessons from the covid 19 crisis and cities responses.Firstly, the impact of the crisis was asymmetric territorial impacts,economic and social shock,exacerbated inequalities and the urban premium.Then,the paradigm shift illustrated by cities respons was accessibility,digitalisation,the green transition and trust in governance.Next is the need for an integrated approach to recovery was resilience and ten global agendas.

 

In my opiniom,in Malaysia we also have to ensure that economic and social recovery and development is carried out based on research and science, and is planned effectively and inclusively, not based on political will or the ideology of certain groups. Cities in Malaysia can gain a lot from collaboration, sharing information, knowledge, resources and expertise to support disaster and pandemic management and future recovery efforts.

 

Before we go further,I think that government have to take steps to reduce effect on economy impact,effect on health and effect on social in Malaysia during covid 19 outbreaks.Firstly,in my opinion,government has to give permission for any company,industry to work as usual.This is because this thing will give people to make the work and this will make economy in our country is running more effective.So this will reduce loss economy in our country.

 

Secondly,to reduce effect in health during covid 19 outbreaks, The government enacted Standard Operation Procedure for the peoples in Malaysia during covid 19 outbreaks.For instance,limit the people to go outside from house and more staying at home,because we can prevent us from being infected with the covid 19 virus. This is the best time to spend quality time with family. Parents can be creative by doing various activities with the children such as cleaning the house, carpentry, cooking, gardening and sports that are indoor and do not need to go out.And social distancing between people with 1 meter. If it requires for citizens to go out such as buying goods or to work on unavoidable business, make sure they keep a distance of one meter so as not to come into contact and always practice 3W (Wash,Wear and Warn)

 

Lastly, for social effect because of covid 19.The pandemic has disproportionately affected minorities and people at the lowest socio-economic strata, as well as persons with disabilities. Low levels of education have the strongest association with cases and deaths.People living in more densely populated cities are more socially isolated and prone to other mental and health problems than those who live in smaller, less densely populated cities where they can find fresh air.So the government has to play main roles to solve this problem with effective way.For instance, giving exposure to the public about the dangers of the this new virus Covid 19.So that people will be more aware about this dangerous virus.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                                                                         Syamsi

                                                                                                          (Ahmad Syamsi)