BPTJ Circular Concerning Movement Restrictions In Jabodetabek Is Just A Recommendation
JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation through the Jabodetabek Transportation Management Agency (BPTJ) has issued Circular Number SE 5 BPTJ 2020, following the issuance of Government Regulation No. 21 of 2020 concerning Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) in the Context of Accelerating Handling of Corona Virus Disease 2019 or COVID- 19.
The circular aims to provide recommendations to regions if they are categorized as areas that are allowed to carry out Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB), they can limit the use of transportation modes to reduce the movement of people in an effort to break the chain of spreading COVID-19.
Ministry of Transportation spokesperson Adita Irawati explained, in accordance with Government Regulation No. 21 of 2020, to be categorized as a PSBB area, a region must first obtain approval from the Ministry of Health.
Adita said, if the Ministry of Health has not officially obtained the approval of the PSBB status, the area has not been able to carry out transportation restrictions.
"On the other hand, for areas in Jabodetabek that have PSBB status, BPTJ Circular Letter SE 5/2020 can serve as a guideline for limiting transportation modes," he said, when contacted by VOI, in Jakarta, Wednesday, April 1.
Contacted separately, Head of DKI Jakarta Transportation Agency (Dishub) Syafrin Liputo said DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan had submitted a question about stopping buses from and out of Jakarta. However, this was rejected by President Joko Widodo during a limited meeting (ratas).
With regard to the PSBB, said Syafrin, Anies had not yet proposed to Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto to designate Jakarta as a PSBB area.
"Not yet. That is whether the Governor proposed it or not, right? Let him ask him," he said.
Even so, Syafrin said, so far, DKI Jakarta has restricted the mobility of the people, both from transportation and public activities.
"So in fact, most of what is regulated in the PP has also been done by DKI. It's just that now there is a PP, it is more explicit in regulating it because restrictions on transportation have been implemented, studying at home, working at home, it is also regulated in PP, "he said.
However, said Syafrin, because the rules regarding restrictions on movement were contained in PP Number 21 of 2020, the PSBB must be based on the permission of the Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto and Head of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling COVID-19 Doni Monardo.
"The existence of an automatic legal basis must all be submitted to the Ministry of Health. Likewise with transportation, we will only have extreme restrictions after an appointment from the Minister of Health, for example Jakarta," he said.
Syafrin said that in implementing restrictions on transportation movements, Jakarta should not be seen as an independent area, but as a greater area, which is connected to Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi.
"That's why the governor's letter asked yesterday for the determination of the Jabodetabek area. Because seeing it has been integrated with the interline. It has become a unity, we can no longer see administrative and size boundaries but see the massive movement of people from and to the Jabodetabek area," he said.
There is no stopping of transportation in Jabodetabek
Spokesperson for the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Jodi Mahardi, emphasized that the circular issued by BPTJ is only a recommendation to limit transportation activities.
"So there is no stop in the mode of transportation (in Jabodetabek)," said Jodi.
Jodi explained that the circular aims to provide recommendations to regions if they are categorized as areas that are allowed to carry out PSBB, in order to limit the use of transportation modes. The goal is to reduce the movement of people in an effort to break the chain of spreading COVID-19.
"I have received a message from Pak Luhut asking all parties to continue to spread good and true news. Especially in the midst of this pandemic crisis. So that we can remain united and help each other in the midst of the hurricane of trials that befall this nation," he said.
Likewise, the Head of the Traffic Corps (Kakorlantas) of the National Police, Inspector General Istiono, emphasized that the movement of people should be stopped by limiting or prohibiting the entry and exit of vehicles from and to Jabodetabek.
"Not yet. Meanwhile, regarding normal traffic only," he explained.