Reflecting On The Rizieq Shihab Pickup Crowd, Anies Is Asked To Prohibit The 212 Reunion At Monas

DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan (Photo: DKI Jakarta Public Relations)

JAKARTA - An epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia, Syahrizal Syarif, advised the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan to ban the 212 Reunion activities in the National Monument (Monas) area later.

This is reflected in the event of picking up Rizieq Shihab at Soekarno-Hatta Airport to organizing events in Petamburan. Where the crowds of Rizieq's followers could not be contained, resulting in a violation of health protocols.

"Don't let the 212 Reunion be given permission. In the situation of COVID-19 in Indonesia, which was declining yesterday, there will be another spike. Moreover, our current examination of specimens has not described the real transmission situation," Syarif said when contacted by VOI, Monday, November 15.

Syarif asked all parties, both the DKI Provincial Government and the public to understand that the COVID-19 case in Indonesia is still fluctuating. During the nine months of the pandemic, it has not yet been seen that the outbreak is under control.

"The state has spent hundreds of trillions to tackle this pandemic. Every increase in cases becomes a burden for health services. We are already tired of 9 months of the pandemic, how come there is still relaxation?" cecar Sharif.

In fact, said Syarif, the rate of increase in COVID-19 cases had decreased from late September to early November.

"It's not under control, but at least the number of cases is flat. The average weekly case, from the end of September, started from 4,200 per day, then 4,100, down again to 3,300," he said.

Then, the potential spike in cases due to the long holiday period began to emerge. "In this week, the increase has reached another 4,100," he added.

If the handling of COVID-19 in DKI continues to run loosely when the pandemic is not under control, Syarif estimates that an even higher spike in cases will occur in the next one to two weeks. This is because DKI is the largest contributor to cases in Indonesia.

As is known, the chairman of the 212 Alumni Brotherhood (PA) Slamet Maarif said that his party is still waiting for a decision from the DKI Provincial Government regarding the decision to permit the use of Monas.

"We have sent it to Monas and the DKI Regional Government from 3 months ago. We have the receipt, we are just waiting for the DKI regional government to answer," said Slamet on Wednesday, November 11.

Head of the Information Services Section for the National Monument Area Management Unit (UPK) Irfal Guci said that all levels of the DKI Provincial Government basically objected to the implementation of the 212 Reunion at Monas.

"Basically all SKPD object because they are in an atmosphere of COVID-19 like this. Because, if one activity is allowed, then all those who ask for other permits will definitely ask to be allowed," said Irfal.

This view was known from the results of the meeting which discussed the application for a permit to use the Monas area for the 212 Reunion activities.

This meeting was chaired by the DKI National and Political Unity Agency (Bakesbangpol) and attended by officials from the DKI Provincial Government, consisting of relevant regional work units (SKPD), which was held, Wednesday, November 11.

However, said Irfal, UPK Monas and Bakesbangpol do not have the authority to issue the licensing decision. They only gave recommendations according to the results of the considerations in the meeting to the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan.

"The final decision is up to the Governor. The recommendation goes to the Governor. It is up to the Governor to allow it or not. If possible, we are ready. If not, even better," said Irfal.

Until now, Anies has not issued a decision to allow or prohibit the 212 Reunion activities in the Monas area.