Don\'t Stand Still

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

Three motorists, including a relatively older man without a mask, pass by a banner installed by the General Elections Commission (KPU) on Jl. Rawa Mekar Jaya in Serpong, Tangerang, Monday (7/9/2020). The KPU’s banner reminds the public to comply with the Covid-19 health protocol during the 2020 regional elections, which has seen large crowds of hundreds of supporters flout public health and safety measures to cheer on their preferred candidates. Many fear that the simultaneous regional elections will give rise to multiple clusters of Covid-19 infection, even as Indonesia continues to see a daily increase in new cases

After holding the regional head elections on Dec. 9, we should not stand still. The continued increase in new Covid-19 cases should remain our main concern.

The death of the chairman of the General Election Commission of South Tangerang, Banten, Bambang Dwitoro, from Covid-19 sounds the alarm over the potential spread of Covid-19 during regional head elections.

It a warning and must be followed up by testing anyone involved in the regional head elections and carrying out tracing to break the transmission chain. We are deeply saddened by his death and our condolences to his family.

It is the task of the government and the Covid-19 task force to test anyone involved in the holding of the regional head elections. The potential for transmission clusters during the regional head elections should not be underestimated.

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The government should not only urge people to strictly implement health protocols such as wearing a mask, washing hands with soap and keeping distance with others. The government is also obliged to carry out its duties by testing, tracking and dealing with citizens infected with Covid-19.

According to data of the General Elections Commission (KPU), as many as 79,241 people were found reactive during a rapid test conducted on election officials on 2-7 Dec. 2-7, 2020.

A total of 4,824 people were also replaced on the D-day and 5,115 people underwent another rapid test. A total of 39,318 people are still waiting for the results of the tests.

Of the total number, as reported by Kompas, 10,087 people underwent independent isolation and 19,897 underwent swab tests. A total of 4,824 people were also replaced on the D-day and 5,115 people underwent another rapid test. A total of 39,318 people are still waiting for the results of the tests.

KOMPAS/I GUSTI AGUNG BAGUS ANGGA PUTRA

A mourner cuddles a photo of the Chairman of the General Election Commission of South Tangerang City, Bambang Dwitoro, who died from Covid-19 on Saturday (12/12/2020).

Local governments, including regional KPU offices, must wait the results of the tests conducted on the elections officials which have not be issued.

They must be absolutely certain about the result of the tests and should not be taken lightly. The reactive status through a rapid test must be confirmed immediately through a swab test, which is the best standard for Covid-19 testing.

Regional heads who do not support the implementation of swab tests to detect Covid-19 should step aside because of their unwillingness to follow central government policies. Moreover, many regional heads have openly said that the swab test were just a waste of state budget. They said the state budget would be better used to finance infrastructure development. Such a thought is not quite right.

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As President Joko Widodo has often says, the safety of the people is the supreme law or Salus populi suprema lex est. The quote, which is attributed to Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC), should not only be rhetorical speech, but embodied in real policy. It is a must for the government to carry out massive swab tests, especially on those actively involved in the regional elections, tracing close contacts and treating those who test positive. On the other hand, those who are financially capable should check independently to reduce the burden on the state budget.

We don\'t want democracy to be a disaster for the country.