When Mahfud MD Compares His Family Who Was Quarantined After Returning From The Netherlands With Rachel Vennya

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD (Irfan Meidianto/VOI)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD said his family continued to quarantine after returning from the Netherlands even though he had a position. This is different from the celebgram Rachel Vennya who chose to pay Rp40 million to escape this obligation.

Mahfud MD asked all parties without exception to comply with quarantine rules for travelers from abroad in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is done to prevent the spread of the virus in the community.

He even told that the obligation to carry out quarantine after returning from abroad for Indonesian citizens was also carried out by their children and grandchildren after returning from the Netherlands. This statement was made after Mahfud had mentioned about Rachel Vennya who paid Rp40 million to not be quarantined.

"Imagine people paying not to be quarantined. Today my son and my grandson came back from the Netherlands. I ordered quarantine, you don't have to call me my child," Mahfud said during a speech at an event in Jakarta, Wednesday, December 15.

He admitted that he did not ask for any dispensation even though he had a position. Although, as a grandfather, Mahfud really wanted to meet his grandson.

"Even though I already want to meet grandchildren, with children, with in-laws. I want to get together. But, it's been 10 days at the hotel now, don't go out. If you go out later, there will be cases, I will give you to the authorities," he said.

Mahfud said he took this step because he was afraid of the law. In addition, this kind of obedience is also based on oneself which is then transmitted to others.

"We have to start from ourselves. Not because we are arrogant, why are we so arrogant. No, it is because we are afraid. Fear of the law. The law can be regulated, I was wrong, call, please, right, small mistakes can be industrialized but morals are not can be industrialized," said the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK).

Before conveying this, Mahfud also mentioned that Rachel Vennya's giving of money had to be thoroughly investigated. Not only that, but the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) also said that Rachel Vennya gave Rp40 million to Soekarno-Hatta Airport protocol Ovelina as an illegal levy.

"Just now we heard that an artist ran away, did not participate in quarantine, was arrested by the police and in court, it was proven that he paid Rp40 million to the officer. This officer is a private employee but the deposit is to an ASN. That's extortion," he said.

After giving his speech, Mahfud again mentioned the giving of money by Rachel Vennya. He said the legal process had to go on, especially since there was already an acknowledgment.

"That's why I mention it including extortion. Let it be processed legally. There is a law. So what I read in court was the confession, 'I paid this Rp40 million then it's deposited to a Civil Service Apparatus from an institution'. I want it to be informed to be investigated so that they cannot do that," he said.

According to him, the action in the form of investigating the gift was carried out to make every citizen aware. In addition, this is necessary because the law should not be indiscriminate.

"(It must be investigated thoroughly, ed) Yes, that must be it. The legal argument is not indiscriminate," he said.

Although Mahfud asked for the money to be investigated, Metro Jaya Police has yet to confirm that the request will be followed up.

"We'll see if it's investigated or not," said the Head of Public Relations of the Metro Jaya Police Grand Commissioner E. Zulpan to reporters.

He reasoned that the investigative team from the General Criminal Directorate of Metro Jaya Police only used the Infectious Disease Outbreak and Health Quarantine Act. Where in this case, Rachel has been named a suspect and has been on trial.

"Rachel Vennya, actually, the suspect is already in. It's already on file there," he said.

For information, Rachel and her entourage claimed to have fled the quarantine center after returning from the United States because they felt uncomfortable. She felt the discomfort because she had previously performed a similar procedure after returning from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

She then admitted to paying Rp40 million in order to escape from the Wisma Atlet Pademangan, Jakarta. The money was handed over to Ovelina who was later returned.

Meanwhile, Ovelina admitted that the Rp40 million was requested by the COVID-19 Task Force at Soekarno-Hatta Airport. Furthermore, the money was transferred by Rachel to the account of the COVID-19 Task Force officer named Cania before being received.