Bantul Regent Responds To Jogja Lockdown Discourse, Ready To Obey Whatever The Decision Of Sultan HB X

Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X. ANTARA/HO-Humas DIY Regional Government

BANTUL - The Regent of Bantul, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Abdul Halim Muslih, said that the policy of closing the total area or Jogja lockdown, which was discussed by the Governor of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, was not just a district issue. This lockdown concerns all districts and cities in DIY.

"Regarding the discourse on the total closure of the territory that was conveyed by Ngarso Dalem (the governor of DIY), this is not just a matter of Bantul, but all DIY and the Sultan must have a view on what policy to take," said Muslih, quoted by Antara, Sunday, June 20.

According to him, the governor of DIY has the view to take policies in handling the COVID-19 outbreak in DIY, which in the last few days new cases have soared, but to decide to ask for input from the district and city first.

"Whether it will completely close the territory or not. The Sultan will also listen to the views of each regional government before making a decision," said Muslih.

On Monday, June 21, there will be a coordination meeting with all regents in DIY with the governor of Yogyakarta at the Yogyakarta Kepatihan Office regarding the spike in COVID-19. Whatever the decision, the district is ready to implement it.

"So the Bantul Regency Government will follow whatever the results of the coordination meeting on Monday (21/6) tomorrow," said Muslih, who is also the head of the Bantul COVID-19 Task Force.

The Governor of DIY, Sri Sultan HB X previously, said he would consider implementing a total area cover to suppress the high number of Covid-19 cases in his region.

"We've already talked about 'controlling' in RT/RW, if it fails, what can we do next. We can't necessarily find a way out, the only way is a complete lockdown," said Sri Sultan X, at the Kepatihan Office, Yogyakarta, Friday.

According to him, through the Micro PPKM policy which was again extended until June 28, 2021, the DIY Regional Government has even arranged in detail regarding the technical tightening of community activities down to the RT/RW level.

Through this policy, the implementation of community activities not only requires approval from the kelurahan, but also must be accompanied by the approval of the sub-district.

"This PPKM has already talked about dealing with RT/RW, padukuhan, if that fails, the mobility is like this on weekends, so what else do you want, it's a lockdown," said the king of the Yogyakarta Palace.