PONTIANAK - Governor of West Kalimantan (Kalbar) Sutarmidji or familiarly called Bang Midji confirmed his decision to prohibit Batik Air from flying to the West Kalimantan region due to violations. Regulations preventing the spread of OVID-19 must be enforced amid the pandemic.
"Assalamualaikum, the decision to prohibit carrying passengers from the departure airport to Pontianak was caused by carrying passengers who were positive for COVID-19. We have coordinated with Angkasa Pura Supadio and KKP, all of them are throwing responsibility, "said Bang Midji via Bang Midji's Facebook fanpage account quoted by VOI, Sunday, December 27.
Bang Midji asked all parties not to argue with the conditions for handling the pandemic. Bang Midji emphasized that he understood the rules, there was no maladministration in his decision.
"Lex Specialis Derogat Legi Generalis, which means that a special rule overrides general rules. This is a pandemic condition, don't talk like normal conditions, ”said Bang Midji, a law graduate of Tanjungpura University (Untan).
According to him, coordination is important. But decisions are in the public interest above all else.
"Coordination is important, but if it is asked to be ignorant, then decisions for the greater public interest must be made," he said.
"We are sorry if there are any discomfort or displeasure with the Decision of the West Kalimantan COVID-19 Task Force. Remember when an offense is always tolerated, then someday it will be a big problem, because the violation is not considered a violation anymore, ”said Bang Midji.
West Kalimantan Governor Sutarmidji has banned Batik Air from flying to Pontianak for 10 days starting Thursday, December 24.
This is because the West Kalimantan COVID-19 Task Force suspects that there are five passengers carrying fake letters resulting from a swab test that show negative information.
In response to this, the Chairman of the National Aviation Association INACA Denon thought that Sutarmidji should not impose a flight ban. Because, according to him, the responsibility for health checks lies with the Ministry of Health.
"Airlines and airports do not have responsibility for checking prospective passengers on their health status and COVID-19, KKP officers under the Ministry of Health are responsible for these procedures," Denon said in his statement, Sunday, December 27.
Moreover, according to Denon, flight permits and airline restrictions to an area are the authority of the Ministry of Transportation. Therefore, Denon asked the central government to step in to solve the problem.
"We ask the central government to consider the attitude of the regional government because we think the sanctions are irrelevant and unfair for us as flight operators and airport operators," he said.
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