Whisnu Sakti Asked Not To Issue A Permit For The COVID-19 Hospital At Cito Mall Surabaya

SURABAYA - The Association of Owners, Tenants, and Traders (P4) at the City of Tomorrow (Cito) mall and the owners and residents of the Aryaduta Cito Apartment in Surabaya, still reject the plan to open a COVID-19 emergency hospital (RS).

They took action again in the middle of the work of the Surabaya Mayor, Whisnu Sakti Buana, who saw immediately the progress of the Emergency Hospital which will be managed by Siloam Hospital, Wednesday, February 10.

Based on the observation, traders and apartment residents carried banners with a message of rejection, then repeatedly shouted the words "Reject Emergency Hospital".

Secretary of P4 Cito, M Yazid conveyed his objection to Whisnu regarding the opening of the Emergency Hospital. The reason is, the existence of an emergency hospital has an economic impact on business owners in malls.

Yazid admitted that the existence of an emergency hospital was important during this pandemic, but he considered that it could not then be established in a shopping center area because it had an impact on the economic sector.

"This is the central economy, many are expecting, now many Sales Promotion Girl's (SPG) want to leave out for fear, then now our income is zero because there are no visitors, and we still have to pay service charges if late payments will be closed", said Yazid when discussing with Whisnu in the lobby of the Cito Mall.

He explained, there were several obstacles if it was forced to keep it open. One of the worst cases is that the airways are still connected to apartments and malls.

Because of that, he urged the Surabaya City Government not to issue an operational permit to Siloam Hospital.

"From 2014 to 2019 Mrs. Risma has refused,  Don’t let Mr. Wishnu just officiate as a Mayor give permission for this plan. We ask for help, sir", said Yazid.