COVID-19 In The House Of Representatives Soars, Commission VIII Cancels Meeting

JAKARTA - Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) has canceled all work meetings and hearings which were originally scheduled to be held today, Thursday, June 17. This news follows an increase in COVID-19 cases in the parliament complex area, Senayan, Jakarta.

"According to the direction of the Chairman of Commission VIII of the DPR RI, due to the increase in COVID-19 within the DPR RI Building for the DPR RI Commission VIII meetings on Thursday, June 17, 2021. It has been postponed and will be scheduled at another time", the message wrote circulated via e-mail.

When he was asked for confirmation, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Commission VIII Ace Hasan Syadzily confirmed the news. Today's meeting was canceled due to a number of employees who tested positive for COVID-19.

"We decided to postpone today's meeting due to various considerations, especially increasing the spread of COVID-19 in the DPR. There are also several members and staff of Commission VIII DPR RI who are infected with COVID-19", said Ace.

Originally, at 10:00 a.m. local time, Commission VIII of the DPR RI held a Panja meeting on Hajj Dormitory with the Directorate General of Budget (DJA) and Directorate General of State Assets (DJKN) of the Ministry of Finance, related to the Use State Owned Assets and Non-tax revenue (PNBP) Hajj Dormitory.

Meanwhile, at 14:00 p.m. local time, the House of Representatives Commission VIII is scheduled to hold a General Hearing Meeting of the Panja on Hajj Dormitory with the Chairs of The Muslim Association of Hajj and Umrah Organizers of the Republic of Indonesia (AMPHURI), Unity of the Republic of Indonesia Hajj Umrah Travel Tour (KESTHURI), Umrah and Hajj Organizers Association (HIMPUH), Association of Indonesian Hajj Umrah and Inbound Organizers (ASPHURINDO), Muslim Association of Umrah and Hajj Entrepreneurs (AMPUH) and Association of Indonesian Hajj Umrah Organizers (SAPUHI), regarding the Improvement of Hajj Dormitory Management.

Separately, the Chairman of Commission VIII of the DPR RI, Yandri Susanto, emphasized that from today until an undetermined time, the commission in charge of religious and social affairs was declared to be in lockdown. By not holding a physical meeting in the room of Commission VIII.

"Because there are several members of Commission VIII of experts, the secretariat staff was exposed to COVID-19, positive. So with that, later we will hold a virtual meeting via zoom and from their respective homes to avoid more people being exposed to COVID-19", explained Yandri.

As for those who were confirmed positive for COVID-19, Yandri said there were 1 leadership and staff, 2 commission members and 4 experts.

"Mr. Marwan is the leader, there are staff, he is vice chairman, there is Mrs. Itje, then there are experts, there are Mr. Adi Wicaksono, Mr. Suratman, etc., yes", he said

"That's while the others are affected, we are asking for all swabs. Some are being treated, some are doing self-isolation", added Yandri.

Automatically, said Yandri, meetings with partners of ministries and institutions are conducted virtually from their respective homes or offices, and do not meet face-to-face in the Commission VIII room of the DPR.