Regional Heads Warned Again About Health Protocols

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

The Governor of DKI Jakarta, Anies Baswedan, gave a statement to the media crew after clarification regarding the alleged violation of the health protocol at Petamburan at Polda Metro Jaya, Jakarta, Tuesday (17/11/2020) night.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Regional leaders, as the heads of the COVID-19 handling task forces in their respective regions, have been warned again on the need to comply with the rules they made themselves regarding the implementation of health protocols to curb the spread of COVID-19.

At the same time, local administrations should also ensure there is law enforcement against those who violate the health protocols without any exceptions, including over rules related to the 2020 regional head elections (Pilkada).

Also read: The State should not Lose

The director general of regional administrations at the Home Ministry, Safrizal, said in Jakarta on Tuesday (17/11/2020) that the ministry believed that regional heads would protect their respective regions according to existing regulations and impose sanctions over violations of health protocols.

The regulations must be strictly implemented in order to be able to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the regions.

"An instruction from the home minister will be issued today (Tuesday) or tomorrow to ensure regional heads comply with regulations they made themselves. Thus, the number of areas at high risk of COVID-19 transmission can be reduced, including Jakarta, where there are still a lot of cases, said Safrizal.

Also read: Strict Action and Sanctions Imperative

Regarding the mass gathering when the leader of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), Rizieq Shihab, held a wedding party for his daughter in Petamburan, Central Jakarta, Saturday (14/11), Safrizal said that the Home Ministry was still waiting for the results of the police’s investigation into Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan in relation to the event.

According to Safrizal, the results of the investigation would be used as the basis to determine whether or not the ministry would impose sanctions.

Kompas/Priyombodo

The crowd welcomed the arrival of the leader of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Rizieq Shihab in the Slipi area, Central Jakarta, Tuesday (10/11/2020).

Safrizal said that so far the heaviest sanction ever given to regional heads regarding violations of the health protocols was a written warning, which has been given to 82 regional heads who failed to prevent crowds during registration for the 2020 Pilkada from Sept. 4 to 6.

Clarification

After giving his clarification for about nine hours at the Jakarta Police, Anies Baswedan said he answered 33 questions related to the mass gathering at the wedding ceremony of Rizieq Shihab\'s daughter.

Anies said that he answered all the questions in accordance with the facts. However, he was reluctant to unveil the details. According to Anies, it is the domain of the Jakarta Police to explain the details.

Also read: Demonstrations Continue, Health Protocols Ignored

The director of general crime investigation of the Jakarta Police, Sr. Comr. Tubagus Ade Hidayat, earlier said that the police had asked for clarification from the Jakarta governor on the state of Jakarta in terms of COVID-19. He said that the Jakarta administration was extending its large-scale social restrictions until Nov. 22, but there was a wedding party that caused large crowds.

"The question was given to the government administrators […] Were there any regulations that were violated during the event?” said Ade.

Also read: COVID-19 Health Protocol Violations Increase

According to him, if there was a violation of regulations, a plenary hearing would be held to determine whether or not a crime was involved. Ade said that the police planned to invite wedding organizers and a number of guests to provide clarifications on Wednesday (18/11).

KOMPAS/JUMARTO YULIANUS

A crowd of supporters bearing campaign flags surround the South Kalimantan governor and deputy governor candidates, Denny Indrayana and Difriadi Darjat (center, wearing garlands), as the group heads en masse for the pair to register at the South Kalimantan General Elections Commission (KPU) on Saturday (5/9/2020) in Banjarmasin.

Separately, Trisakti University law lecturer Abdul Fickar Hadjar said sanctions against those who violated health protocols should be imposed without any exception.

Epidemiologist from Airlangga University, Surabaya, Laura Navila Yamani, shared a similar opinion. "If there are violations in the regional election process, a sanction should also be imposed. Do not let the people think that that there is different treatment. This can make people ignore the regulations,” she said.

Based on data from the Elections Supervisory Agency, violations of health protocols on the fifth set of 10 days of the campaign rose by 19 percent compared to the fourth set of 10 days.

Also read: Dilemma of Regional Health Protocol Enforcement

Meanwhile, regarding the planned reunion of the 212 rally alumni, which was initially scheduled to be held in the National Monument (Monas) area on Dec. 2, the Monas area manager said he had rejected the request to use the Monas area as the venue for the reunion event

The chairman of the 212 Alumni Presidium (PA) Slamet Ma\'arif said that the event was also postponed because the COVID-19 pandemic was not yet under control.

"The 212 Reunion in 2020 has been temporarily postponed, pending developments in the 2020 regional elections. If the government allows for crowds, the 212 Reunion in 2020 will still be held at the right time," he said. (SYA / REK / BOW / DEA / NAD / EDN / JOG / HLN / DNE / DIT / BRO / KOR)