Covid 33: Perceptions and Expectations of Council Members on Presidential Regulation No. 33 of 2020

Abstract

The uncomfortable news for government officials, members of the DPRD, as well as other civil servants in the midst of the corona pandemic (covid-19) with the issuance of Presidential Regulation Number 33 of 2020 concerning Regional Unit Price Standards which they call “Covid 33”. This is related to cutting some line items which were cut quite a lot by up to 75%. This Presidential Regulation is effective starting January 1, 2021 since President Joko Widodo issued Presidential Regulation Number 33/2020 concerning Regional Unit Price Standards in February 2020. This study aims to find out what the opinions of the members of the regional people's representative council, especially in the Bangka Belitung Islands regarding the implementation of Presidential Regulation 33 of 2020. The sample of this study is 50 council members spread across 2 districts in Belitung using descriptive qualitative approach. Researchers distributed questionnaires and also conducted interviews with respondents to see their perceptions and how their expectations and input were regarding this Presidential Regulation 33/2020. The results of this study indicate that most respondents do not reject the implementation of Presidential Regulation 33/2020. However, revisions must be made in several parts. This is related to an increase in social expenditure as an increase in the economic cost of the community from council members. There is separation between government employees and board members in the implementation of Presidential Regulation 33/2020 because of the differences in the interests of their existence. The implementation of Presidential Regulation 33/2020 should also be adjusted to the capabilities of each region so that it does not generalize the capabilities of the regions. This is contrary to the welfare theory adopted by society where every community is no exception to the members of the council.