The Role and Contribution of Political Parties in Determining Policies for Handling COVID-19 in Indonesia

The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated every aspect of human life, starting from the economy, education, politics, social, culture, and society. The Indonesian government has carried out various strategies and efforts in dealing with this pandemic so that it does not have a more severe impact on the community. Various policies have been formulated and implemented by the government. However, so far, these policies have not been effective. This can be seen with the increasing number of COVID-19 sufferers; even Indonesia has once broken the record with the highest number of people affected and died in the world. Political parties that are government partners in parliament are considered not to have made an optimal contribution to handling the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in analyzing and criticizing the policies taken by the government so far. Therefore, the author is interested in bringing up a research theme on COVID-19 Handling Policies in Indonesia from the perspective of Political Parties. This study uses a qualitative approach using descriptive analysis methods. Then the data collection technique using literature study. The study found that the government's policies so far have not been effective in suppressing the spread of COVID-19, as can be seen from the increasing number of sufferers. The policies that are taken tend to be reactive and independent without involving stakeholders such as political parties, which are government partners through their representatives sitting in parliament. Every policy that the government has taken, such as closing border gates at airports or ports, the PSBB policy tends to be taken alone without involving political parties. This study recommends that political parties take an active role with the government to formulate various pro-community policies and have a sense of crisis. These policies are more targeted and effective in suppressing the spread of COVID-19.