Ali Mochtar Ngabalin Calls COVID-19 Hoax Spreaders Democratic Trash

Ali Mochtar Ngabalin (Photo: Instagram @ngabalin)

JAKARTA - Main Expert Staff of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Ali Mochtar Ngabalin said the government continues to try to educate the public regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. One way is by embracing community leaders to religious leaders.

However, this method is often defeated by various fake news or hoaxes spread by those who do not believe in COVID-19. Thus, many people are consumed by hoax narratives and underestimate the dangers of the virus.

"This is indeed the main step taken by the government, inviting scholars, priests, priests, monks, and others so that many believe. But in the public sphere there is still a lot of hoax news (about COVID-19, ed)," Ngabalin said in an online discussion that took place. aired on YouTube, Sunday, June 27.

He then gave an example that there are still people who use verses in the holy book as justification if COVID-19 is just a trick. For example, the pandemic has forced the implementation of prayers at a distance even though in religious teachings this is not allowed.

"For example, like this, some say that now with COVID-19 the prophet ordered to close your rows so that the devil does not pass through your rows. But now with the reason that COVID-19 is called a lie, it can keep us apart in prayer," explained Ngabalin.

He then called people or groups who often spread hoaxes related to COVID-19 were democratic scum. They, said Ngabalin, endanger other people and make the government work extra to build public awareness.

"We were talking foamy, he said great things like that. That's what is called humans who destroy public spaces, the trash of democracy I call it," he said.

"That's why we are a bit tired of finishing this (education about COVID-19, ed). It makes the government work twice," he added.

Meanwhile, epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia (UI) Pandu Riono said that there was a need for a real role from state leaders to raise public awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The leader of this nation must set an example or role model so that there is a consistent policy. Every public official is asked to be careful in speaking, whether or not according to the opinion of the president," said Pandu

For information, the current COVID-19 case continues to increase after the Eid 1442 Hijri holiday. In fact, data from the Ministry of Health as of Saturday, June 26, 2021, recorded the addition of 21,095 new cases.

In suppressing this contagion, the government then decided to thicken or strengthen the Implementation of Micro Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM). This policy was taken because it is considered the most appropriate because in its implementation it will not disrupt the community's economy.