Whip Of Market Visitors Not Wearing Masks, 8 Police Are Examined

Dismissals of police in Ambon (Photo: screenshot twitter @dilaranghidup)

JAKARTA - A video has circulated on social media of a number of police officers carrying out mask raids on market visitors in Ambon. The police found several residents who were not wearing masks in public spaces.

However, unfortunately the police did not appeal to the residents. Instead, they whip up residents who do not wear masks with rattan. As a result, the video went viral.

In the video uploaded by the @dilaranghidup account, several members of the National Police are in full uniform monitoring the Mardika market area, Ambon City. These police officers do not hesitate to beat up residents who are not equipped with personal protective equipment.

Already, thousands of officers who are entrusted by the state have been working !!! This happened in Malika Market, Ambon City. Cc: @Dandhy_Laksono @ sandalista1789 @ bilven1789 @lord_kobra @VeronicaKoman pic.twitter.com/ItSoj97NkO

- Korong It (@dilarangdilarang) May 28, 2020

Head of Maluku Regional Police Public Relations Kombes Roem Ohoirat confirmed the incident. According to him, it all started when there was an inspection of the Maluku COVID-19 Task Force, including members of the National Police, on Thursday, May 28.

"At the event, there were members of the Polda who controlled by hitting members of the public who were not wearing masks with rattan," Roem said in an official statement, Friday, May 29.

According to him, whipping is not the policy of the Polda or the Maluku Task Force in curbing society. This action purely from them to make people obey health protocols.

That way, the actions of these police officers cannot be justified. So, they were immediately questioned by the Maluku Propam Police to explore their motives.

"There were eight members arrested in this case and are currently undergoing questioning at the Maluku Police Propam," said Roem.

Meanwhile, Criminologist at the University of Indonesia, Ferdinand Andi Lolo, said that the actions of these members of the National Police cannot be fully blamed. Because, this must be seen from the other side, such as getting worse or not the spread of COVID-19 in the region.

If it gets worse, but the people still do not obey the government's advice by wearing masks, that method can be done. But if the opposite is true, it clearly violates Polri's rules which always prioritize the humanist side in prosecuting COVID-19 violations.

"There are stages to discipline the community in order to prevent the worsening impact of COVID-19 for health, economy, education and other sectors," said Ferdinand.