Vice President Ma'ruf Amin Reaps Criticism Calls For Tourism To Raja Ampat During COVID, Spokesperson: Meaning When Conditions Are Recovered

JAKARTA - Vice President Spokesman Masduki Baidlowi spoke about the invitation to travel to Raja Ampat that was conveyed by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin when opening the Raja Ampat e-Festival on Monday, June 28 yesterday. Ma'ruf Amin's statement drew criticism.

According to Masduki, this invitation is intended as a preparation and can be done when the COVID-19 pandemic begins to subside.

"I must emphasize that the purpose of the vice president's statement is in preparation for when the COVID-19 pandemic conditions have recovered and are safe, not now, when we are facing the COVID-19 pandemic with strict restrictions," said Masduki in a written statement to reporters, Tuesday. , June 29.

Furthermore, Masduki emphasized that Ma'ruf is a consistent figure and really cares about inviting all levels of society to be intensely involved in dealing with COVID-19 and its impacts.

The former PBNU Rais Aam, he continued, is also a person who is obedient in implementing health protocols in his daily activities. Thus, it is impossible for Ma'ruf to invite the public to travel in the midst of the increasing COVID-19 conditions.

"For this reason, I once again emphasize that the Vice President does not invite the public to travel in the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic, but rather encourages people to strictly implement health protocols to help people recover in Indonesia from the impact of the pandemic," said Masduki.

Even if the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed, Ma'ruf still asks the public to be disciplined in implementing health protocols to control the spread of the virus. This, said Masduki, will certainly have an impact on economic recovery in various sectors including tourism.

"God willing, we can suppress the spread of COVID-19 and Indonesia will soon recover and be safe from the COVID-19 pandemic. That's when we revive the national economy, including activating tourism visits," he said.

As previously reported, the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ma'ruf Amin, invited him to visit Raja Ampat Regency, West Papua Province. Ma'ruf promoted tourism promotion to support the proud movement of traveling in Indonesia.

"Regarding the proud movement to travel in Indonesia, I invite all of us to visit Raja Ampat to enjoy the beauty of nature and exotic culture," said Ma'ruf Amin when giving a virtual speech at the opening of the 2021 Raja Ampat E-Festival, reported by Antara, Monday. , June 28.

He said the proud travel movement is expected to support the economic achievement of the tourism sector. Supporting the growth and development of the West Papuan culinary sector.

Vice President Ma'ruf hopes that the local government in West Papua and also Raja Ampat will build souvenir centers typical of West Papua's local wisdom that are in line with the times and market needs.