DKI Deputy Governor Suggests Supporters Of Rizieq Shihab To Take The Legal Path, Don't Demonstrate During The Pandemic

1812 Action in the Horse Statue area of Jakarta Friday 18 December (irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria suggested that the supporters of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), Rizieq Shihab, take legal action and not hold demonstrations.

This was conveyed by the 1812 demonstration demanding that Rizieq be released from detention. Riza said demonstrations were allowed. However, this kind of action still has to comply with the applicable regulations, especially now that Indonesia is facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Indeed, we are a country based on the law, if we protest according to the regulations. Demonstration is allowed, it is the right of the citizens but please pay attention to it because now there is a pandemic," Riza told reporters at City Hall DKI Jakarta, Friday, December 18.

He then advised that in the future there should not be demonstrations like this in the midst of a pandemic. Because, this can cause transmission of COVID-19 in the community.

"Do not let a demonstration with good intentions because the crowd causes transmission to be not good," he said.

As previously reported, the 1812 demonstration demanding the release of the Grand Imam of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Rizieq Shihab took place in the area of the Arjuna Wiwaha Horse Statue, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta. Not only were they gathered, the protesters also appeared not to use masks properly and did not maintain their distance.

In response to this, the epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia, Tri Yunis Miko Wahyono, assessed that this would create a high potential for transmission of COVID-19 in the crowd.

"Crowding has increased the spread. Moreover, not wearing masks, not keeping your distance. Yes, the transmission will be very high," said Miko when contacted by VOI, Friday, December 18.

Even so, he considered that nothing could be done to prevent similar demonstrations from being held. This is because people do have the right to express their opinion and this is regulated in law.