Homecoming Prohibition Violators Reach Thousands, A Reflection Of Community Ignorance

Illustrations (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The government has imposed a ban on going home every day, Friday, April 29 to prevent the spread of the corona virus or COVID-19. Officers from several agencies began to take action and asked drivers to turn their vehicles around to remain in Jakarta, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi (Jadetabek).

Based on police data, 1,181 motorists were forced to return to their original places. These thousands of vehicles were the result of prosecution at two points, namely, the West Cikarang Toll Road and Bitung Toll Road from 00.00 to 05.00 WIB. Most violations occurred at the Cikarang Barat toll point.

"There are 498 vehicles being reversed on the Bitung Toll Road to Merak and 683 vehicles being reversed on the West Cikarang Toll Road," said Head of Public Relations at Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Yusri Yunus in his statement, Friday, April 24.

"So far the data cannot be detailed for the addition," said Yusri, adding that this action was referred to as Operation Ketupat.

Referring to this data, Public Policy Analysis Observer Agus Pambagio asked the government to be more assertive in carrying out this action prohibiting homecoming.

"The government must be firm because so far it is still lacking. Whatever the government's efforts, if the people are not sure about it, it will be the same," said Agus.

Meanwhile, Trubus Rahadiansyah's Public Policy Analysis said, the high number of violators of the rules on the prohibition of going home was due to a lack of socialization. However, not because the information is really minimal, but because many people don't care.

"Many people are ignorant and do not want to hear the appeal from the government. So all government efforts seem useless," said Trubus.