Coordinating Minister Muhadjir Visits The Haunted Detention Center In Madiun, Becomes A Place Of 'Exile' For Wayward Travelers

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy visited a former military detention center located on Jalan Ahmad Yani, Madiun.

Later, this remand center will be used as an independent isolation place for residents who go back and forth to Madiun City.

"Since this has gone viral I want to confirm what the conditions are like," Muhadjir was quoted as saying in his written statement, Monday, April 26.

This former Dutch military detention center has existed since the 18th century and was deliberately prepared by the Madiun City Government for recalcitrant travelers. It's just that, said Muhadjir, the condition of the independent isolation place is not yet proper even though it has been cleaned and arranged in such a way.

"For now, in my opinion, it is not feasible," he said.

Actually, the Madiun City Government has prepared another location, namely the Madiun Hajj Dormitory. Well, this detention house was prepared if the room in the Hajj dormitory could not accommodate the travelers.

"This is the last alternative if other quarantine places are full," he said.

"But I urge everyone not to go home. Because I agree with the Mayor (Mayor of Madiun Maidi), those who are desperate to go home will be put here," added Muhadjir.

During this visit, Muhadjir was accompanied by Mayor Madiun Maidi and a number of his staff.

There is also something related to this military detention center, besides being used as an independent isolation place, it will also be restored. This detention center that has existed since the 18th century will become one of the locations for historical tourist destinations in Madiun City.

Previously reported, through the Addendum to the Circular of the Head of the Task Force for Handling COVID-19 Number 13 of 2021 concerning the Elimination of the Idul Fitri 1442 Hijriah Homecoming Day and Efforts to Control the Spread of COVID-19 during the Holy Month of Ramadan 1442 Hijriah, the government imposed a tightening period for homecoming and backflow during the D-14 and H + 7 period, Lebaran 2021 homecoming.

The movement tightening for Domestic Travel Actors (PPDN) is enforced by shortening the validity period of the negative Antigen rapid test results to a maximum of 1x24 hours before departure.

The addendum aims to anticipate an increase in the flow of human movement, in the period 22 April-5 May and 18-24 May, which has the potential to increase the transmission of COVID-19 between regions.