Criticised PWNU DKI Inconsistent, Anies Baswedan Defended Bamus Betawi: Anies Carefully Protect Muslims

People pray at their family's grave during a grave pilgrimage at the COVID-19 special cemetery at TPU Srengseng Sawah (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Betawi Community Consultative Body (Bamus) disagreed with the statement of the Regional Administrator of Nahdlatul Ulama (PWNU) DKI Jakarta who criticized the policy of the Governor of DKI, Anies Baswedan.

The policy was criticized for banning grave pilgrimage but allowing tourism during Eid al-Fitr celebrations in the event of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vice Chairman bamus Betawi Rachmat HS said that his party understands Anies policy that prohibits grave pilgrimage in dki Jakarta area.

However, this was made in the context of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic." So, this is not prohibiting people from making pilgrimages, but Mr. Anies wants to prevent potential crowds, Mr. Anies is worried that this will cause spontaneous crowds like the one that happened in Tanah Abang Market some time ago," said Rachmat reported from Antara, Saturday, May 15.

Rachmat also mentioned, in the eid moment there is likely a crowd that leads to a huge spike in cases. Moreover, from the data of the COVID-19 Task Force recorded per H-1 Eid or May 13, COVID-19 patients in DKI soared to 785 cases from the previous day which was 600 cases.

"This is clearly a worrying increase in numbers, well Mr. Anies who understands the situation of the development of the COVID-19 surge in Jakarta then moved quickly with this policy (pilgrimage ban), "

"It can be imagined, if tpu for example open and then people flock to come on pilgrimage and there is a crowd. Then we're making a fuss about blaming each other?," he said.

Therefore, Rachmat assessed, the policy of closing a number of TPU in Jakarta as the responsibility of Anies as a sectoral leader in the capital region. And Bamus Betawi, he said, fully supports the steps that Anies takes against any crowd prevention efforts that have the potential to become a new COVID-19 cluster in Jakarta.

"This is the sensitivity and prudence of the Governor as a sectoral leader to the real conditions in the field in order to protect Muslims from the threat of COVID-19 dangers that want to make a pilgrimage," he said.

Rachmat hopes that in the future, all parties should build good communication with the governor as a sectoral leader.

"Let's build communication and synergize with the sector in dki provincial government. Let the case of this crowd not continue to repeat itself. Because communication failure will lead to failure to co-ordinate and synergy in the fight against COVID-19," he said.

Previously, Chairman of PWNU DKI Jakarta Syamsul Ma'arif criticized the Call of the Governor of DKI Provincial Government No. 5 of 2021 on Controlling Community Activities in the Prevention of the Spread of COVID-19 during the Eid al-Fitr Holiday.

In the call, there are 2 policies that according to Kiai Syamsul show that Governor Anies Baswedan is inconsistent. Because, grave pilgrimage activities are prohibited or canceled on May 12-16, 2021, while tourist attractions such as Ancol Dreamland and Ragunan Wildlife Park remain open.

"This Governor (Dki Provincial Government) is inconsistent. Graves (pilgrimage) should not be but Ancol opened. But it's both open places," said Syamsul, Tuesday, May 11.

Syamsul argues that the implementation of grave pilgrimage should be arranged to be safe from COVID-19, for example, the number of pilgrims is limited and supervised by officers. This is because considering the grave pilgrimage is part of betawi culture.

"Because if the ban, people fight, because people will argue this government is inconsistent, entertainment venues are opened. Equally, tarawih prayers are allowed, ordinary, there are no restrictions, Eid prayers, ordinary, no prohibitions," he said.

With the inconsistent call, Syamsul assessed Anies Baswedan as the highest official in DKI Jakarta did not understand about Betawi culture. According to Syamsul, grave pilgrimage is part of Betawi culture which is done once a year.

"The governor does not understand Betawi culture. Betawi culture is indeed a grave pilgrimage once a year. I agree it is forbidden actually, but, judging by the culture dong, the governor does not make Betawi culture," he said.

What was revealed by the Chairman of NU DKI commented on the findings of a number of dki jakarta residents earlier on Thursday crowded to make grave pilgrimages at a number of TPU in Jakarta. People make grave pilgrimages at TPU Menteng Pulo, TPU Utan Jati, and TPU Tegal Alur.

Kasatpol PP Jakbar Tamo Sijabat revealed that pilgrims can enter tegal alur tpu through the back side door broken by the people. The pilgrims were dispersed.