Decisive Sanctions Threaten People Who Do Not Submit The Government's Appeal To Covid-19

JAKARTA - The government has issued an appeal for large-scale social restrictions to deal with the corona virus pandemic or COVID-19. The National Police will act decisively for people who cannot carry out this policy.

National Police Chief General Idham Azis said there were a number of articles to ensnare those who did not heed this government's policy.

For those who gather, they are charged with Article 14 paragraph 1 and 2 of Law Number 4 of 1984 concerning Disease and Article 93 of Law Number 6 of 2018 concerning Health Quarantine. The public is also asked to do activities in the house in accordance with Articles 212, 214 paragraphs 1 and 2, as well as Articles 216 and 218 of the Criminal Code.

"Regarding criminal sanctions against people who violate government policies in the emergency period of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as not wanting to be disbanded when crowding around, holding crowds after being ordered by officers, threats (articles) that can be imposed (on the community)," said Idham in a joint work meeting with the Commission. III DPR RI via video teleconference, Tuesday, March 31.

Referring to paragraphs 1 and 2 in Article 14 of Law Number 4 of 1984 concerning disease outbreaks, those who violate will be imprisoned for a maximum of one year and a fine of one million rupiah.

Meanwhile, heavier sanctions are stated in Article 93 of Law Number 6 of 2018 concerning Health Quarantine. Those who violate will be jailed for one year and or a fine of one hundred million rupiah.

Meanwhile, Articles 212, 214 paragraphs 1 and 2, as well as Articles 216, and 218 of the Criminal Code, will only be applied to people who are stubborn, if they fight back against police officers.

However, after detailing the legal umbrella for enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic, Idham said the rules had not been implemented. So far, the police are still taking preventive steps or appeals and the public understands the officers' requests. The community also dispersed when the officers approached them.

"Our people in Indonesia are still obedient to the calls of the National Police. If we look and compare with other countries whose police have used harsher law enforcement," said Idham.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the percentage of crime has decreased. However, some cases have increased, such as the spread of fake news, and fraud using the mode of offering masks and other medical devices.

For this reason, Idham emphasized that he had deployed his members to anticipate such crimes. The National Police's Cyber Crime Directorate will conduct digital patrols and investigate all indications of hoax spreading.

"Then the last one about these hoaxes and online hoaxes. I have specially ordered one Cyber Crime director to take all arrests," he said.

Idham added, during this pandemic there were also those who carried out disguised robberies using self-protection tools (PPE). Therefore, the police have formed a task force to handle street crime cases in the midst of current conditions.

"There is a new mode that let you know, pretending he (the perpetrator) came wearing PPE, wanted to spray the house when he was robbing. We have also prepared the task force," said Idham.