NTT Governor And Regional Heads Meeting Criticized: Community Will Emulate

The event was attended by the Governor of NTT VIctor Laiskodat/Antara

JAKARTA - The Ombudsman Representative for East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) assessed that the party that caused a crowd attended by the Governor of NTT Viktor B Laiskodat along with a number of regional heads throughout NTT in Semau, Kupang Regency could set a bad precedent that the community would imitate.

"What the elites in Semau have done is a precedent that NTT residents will imitate, because the elites started it," said the Head of the NTT Ombudsman Representative Darius Beda Daton, in Kupang, as reported by Antara, Sunday, August 29.

According to him, the crowds in Semau that cause crowds are feared that there will be a form of mass protest if there is enforcement of the process by Satpol PP or other law enforcers.

Darius conveyed this, responding to the crowd that appeared at the meeting of the Governor of NTT Viktor Bungtilu Laiskodat and the Deputy Governor of NTT Josef Nae Soi with regional heads or representatives throughout NTT on Semau Island last Friday, 27 August.

The crowd incident was documented in the form of photos and videos that were widely circulated in the community through social media networks.

According to him, although Semau is part of Kupang Regency, which is not included in the implementation of Level 4 Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM), the implementation of health protocols is something that must be implemented.

"While at the party many officials were seen not wearing masks, if you watched the video footage where all NTT officials starting from the Governor, Deputy Governor, regents throughout NTT in an event on Semau Island in an outdoor atmosphere with a magnificent stage and sound system capacity. It's big, involving many supporting artists, which makes all who watch this video sad and almost can't believe it," he said.

People wonder how it is possible that in the midst of an intense campaign against COVID-19, one of which is not to gather together, how come officials in NTT are not burdened with gatherings. In fact, he continued, all people know that Governor Viktor B Laiskodat himself has issued instructions for PPKM until September 6, 2021.

As a consequence, all events involving the masses are not allowed such as wedding parties, praying at death, going to church, going to mosques, going to schools, social gatherings, and others.

"Even nationally, President Jokowi gave instructions on what to do and what not to do in a PPKM situation," he said.

Darius also hopes that officials must be examples and role models for compliance with the prokes at all levels of PPKM, so as not to cause protests from the public.