Mahfud MD Straightens The Context Of Military Emergency Facing COVID-19 Meant By Coordinating Minister For PMK

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD has clarified the term military emergency situation in the face of COVID-19. According to him, the term has the meaning of the military stepping in to overcome the spread of COVID-19.

The military emergency statement against COVID-19 was previously delivered by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy.

"The military emergency that Mr. Muhajir meant, was not in the sense of legal stipulation. But right now there is indeed a health emergency so that the military intervenes to help overcome the emergency," said Mahfud MD in his statement, Saturday, July 17.

"So what Mr. Muhadjir meant was the involvement of the military in overcoming the health emergency. That is in accordance with the TNI Law," he continued.

In addition, Mahfud also slightly conveyed martial law in the context of legal stipulation which means that the military intervened to deal with the rebellion.

However, Mahfud reiterated that what is meant by martial law under current conditions is not like that.

"According to the law, there are three kinds of emergency. First, civil emergency, that is, if something happens that causes the government in an area to be paralyzed, for example because of riots," he said.

"Second, martial law, namely if there is an armed rebellion against the state. Third, martial law, namely if there is an attack from another country on the sovereignty of the state. It's simple," he continued.

Previously, Muhadjir Effendy said that Indonesia was already in a military emergency situation facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Actually, even though the current government has not declared it, we are currently in a state of military emergency. So if the emergency measures are civil order, civil emergency, military emergency, war emergency. Now it's actually a military emergency," said Muhadjir Effendy, Friday, July 16.

Muhadjir said that Indonesia was in a military emergency situation because at this time it had to face an enemy, namely the invisible COVID-19.

"This invisible enemy in his battle does not use the rules of the law of war because everyone is considered a combatant by COVID-19," said Muhadjir.