Present At The Atta-Aurel Wedding, The Jokowi-Prabowo Value Epidemiologist Did Not Set A Good Example Of Implementing Health Protocols

President Jokowi and Minister of Defense Prabowo present at Atta-Aurel's wedding (Photo: Twitter @KemenstenegRI)

JAKARTA - The arrival of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to the luxurious wedding of Atta Halilintar and Aurel Hermansyah was in the spotlight.

Many parties compare the marriage broadcast on private television to the wedding party of ordinary people which is often dismissed by the authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Epidemiologist from Australia's Griffith University Dicky Budiman regretted the arrival of President Jokowi and Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto at the event.

He even said that a party attended by a number of officials seemed to justify the relaxation of health protocols if someone knew high-ranking officials in the country.

"This health protocol applies indiscriminately, it applies to all. It is not because someone is close to an official, a public figure so that they can be given an exception," said Dicky when contacted by VOI via text message, Monday, April 5.

Even though he saw that many people who attended Atta-Aurel's wedding were still wearing masks, he considered this not an example that should be given to society in the midst of a pandemic like now.

"So this is not a good example during the current pandemic, because he sees this protocol as being picky. Moreover, I have seen many weddings being dissolved," he said.

He also highlighted the large number of deaths due to COVID-19 in the country. In fact, Dicky alluded to the death rate due to this virus on Sunday, April 4, reaching 427 people.

"And that may be one of the highest, it is a very serious sign. I think that in the current situation, commitment and consistency from all parties is very important," said Dicky.

He then asked for clarification on this incident. Because, things like this must be straightened out, especially in the midst of a pandemic so that polemics and mutual comparisons do not occur.

"I am concerned and hopefully this can be clarified, straightened out, and there is no more (such an incident, ed) in this pandemic situation," he said.

As previously reported, President Jokowi and Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto witnessed the marriage of Atta Halilintar and Aurel Hermansyah. Their wedding took place at the Raffles Hotel, Setiabudi, South Jakarta, Saturday, April 3.

He arrived at 13.30 WIB with the first lady Iriana and Prabowo. Jokowi wears a black suit, white shirt and black tie. While Iriana wore a yellow dress.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Prabowo appeared to be wearing a black coat combined with a white shirt.

After the event, the State Secretariat's Twitter account uploaded the activities Jokowi attended. A number of netizens then gave their criticisms, one of which was from the writer Fiersa Besari.

"There are many paradoxes in this country. Permits for public receptions are made difficult, but celebrity weddings are attended directly by the leaders of the country," wrote Fiersa Besari on Twitter, Sunday, April 4.