An Invitation For A July 24 Demo Appears With The Tagline 'Jokowi End Game', Deputy Governor Riza: Must Understand, Currently In A Pandemic

Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria before giving a statement at the Jakarta City Hall, Friday, July 23 evening. (Photo: Ricky Prayoga/Antara)

JAKARTA - On social media, a poster contains a call for a demonstration to voice the rejection of PPKM, carrying the tagline 'Jokowi End Game' which will be held on Saturday, July 24.

Responding to demonstrations like this, DKI Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria asked the public to understand the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic and that there was no need for demonstrations regarding the Implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM).

"Indeed, this country is democratic and demonstrations are allowed according to the existing laws, but it must be understood that we are currently in a pandemic period, if there is a demonstration there will be a crowd and if there is a crowd there will be interactions that cause COVID-19 transmission," said Riza at Jakarta City Hall, reported by Antara, Saturday, July 24.

Don't let, said Riza, the intention of the demonstration may be good, but it will actually result in greater COVID-19 transmission.

Riza said that PPKM, which was in the spotlight in the call for action, was made by the government with the aim of ensuring the health and safety of citizens. "So this PPKM's goal is actually good," said Riza.

Instead of demonstrating, Riza asked that anyone who plans to hold a demonstration should express their aspirations in other ways, either in writing or in person, especially with concepts, academic texts and so on.

"In principle, anyone can provide input for the benefit of the nation and state. But even if demonstrations are allowed, during this pandemic period there should be no crowds, lest the demonstration results in the transmission of COVID-19," he said.

The COVID-19 condition in Jakarta currently has 79,635 active cases (people who are still being treated/isolated) out of a total of 778,520 cases after experiencing an additional 8,033 positive cases.

Of the total number of positive cases, a total of 687,864 people were declared cured with a cure rate of 88.4 percent and a total of 11,021 people died with a death rate of 1.4 percent.