Civil Society Coalition Rejects TNI Involvement For COVID-19 Patients

JAKARTA - Several organizations, on behalf of the Civil Society Coalition, have rejected DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to involve the TNI to forcibly pick up COVID-19 DKI residents who don't want to be isolated in health facilities.

This rejection was expressed by representatives of the coalition. Namely, the Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), Rivanlee Anandar.

"We urge the Governor of DKI Jakarta not to involve TNI officials in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. Including picking up positive patients for controlled isolation purposes," said Rivanlee, quoted from the official KontraS website on Tuesday, September 15.

According to Rivanlee, the involvement of the TNI is excessive.

"We are concerned about an intimidating approach to society with the involvement of the TNI," said Rivanlee.

Picking up COVID-19 patients for isolation purposes is a task that can be carried out by health workers. It could be assisted by the police and Satpol PP. Thus, it no longer requires the involvement of the TNI apparatus.

Rivanlee reminded the government about the position of the TNI as a state defense institution. They should be focused on defense work.

The authority of TNI members to hold weapons and commit violence must be seen as an authority that must be limited. Through various legal instruments to prevent abuse of power.

On that basis, Rivanlee also asked President Jokowi not to involve the TNI and military, intelligence, or police institutions in handling that is directly related to public health surveillance.

"We also urge the TNI Commander to restore the spirit of the TNI as a state defense institution. They should not interfere with various non-defense matters. Such as handling the pandemic, except in sectors as regulated in Article 7 of the TNI Law through a military operation scheme other than war," he added.

As is known, Anies asked positive asymptomatic patients to be isolated in the place designated by the Task Force. So, there are no clusters at home.

"Asymptomatic patients must be isolated in a place designated by the Task Force. Self-isolation in residential homes will be avoided to prevent house clusters," said Anies.

"If a positive patient refuses to be isolated, a health worker and law enforcement officers will pick him up," he said.