After Minister Jokowi's Protest About PPKM Level 4, Walkot Ibnu Sina Confirms To Hold Banjarmasin Sasirangan Festival 2021

PHOTO VIA BETWEEN

BANJARMASIN - The City Government of Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan continues to hold the Banjarmasin Sasirangan Festival (BSF) this year in the framework of the 495th anniversary of Banjarmasin during 8-10 October. This event was carried out in the midst of the implementation of level 4 Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) implementation.

Mayor of Banjarmasin Ibnu Sina said that according to the rules, the Ministry of Home Affairs provides opportunities for activities in public facilities or tourism places, where activities are allowed with 25 percent of the total capacity of visitors, as well as implementing strict health protocols.

Banjarmasin Sasirangan Festival (BSF) is an annual event in the area. Currently, the city of Banjarmasin is determined by the central government to implement PPKM level 4 until October 18, 2021.

Ibnu Sina said that this year's BSF was held according to schedule with the main objective of promoting the customs and culture of the City of Banjarmasin. Activities are held in two ways, namely online and offline.

"Because last night I read that the correction for our region is PPKM level 3, the correction has not yet been announced, but it has been corrected by the central government," he said, quoted by Antara, Friday, October 8.

Ibnu Sina said that if PPKM level 3 had been completed, of course activities would be more relaxed, so that the implementation of such events could be more lively.

"So, the city government through this 'event' also provides an example to the community, that 'event' activities are still allowed, but with very, very strict regulations and it is recommended that they be implemented 'online' (online) and 'offline' (offline). " he said.

Ibnu Sina said that the 2021 BSF series, in addition to the discussion, there were also exhibitions and carnivals that were held "indoor" at the mall, and continued to apply strict health protocol rules.

"Everyone who wants to come in must use the PeduliLindung application, so that's the technicality," he said.

Regarding the participants of the activity, Ibnu Sina explained that among them were Sasirangan craftsmen, designers, and SMEs.

Especially for ambassadors of sasirangan cloth or batik cloth typical of this area, this year there will be no artists from the capital, while local designers and artists will be presented instead.

The Mayor of Banjarmasin said that this year's BSF series consisted of discussions regarding the prima donna, sasirangan, agreements with craftsmen to be used as input for future improvements in order to maintain the authenticity of the sasirangan.

Had Protested the Central Government about PPKM Level 4

Mayor of Banjarmasin H Ibnu Sina protested the central government's decision to extend the implementation of Level 4 Community Activity restrictions (PPKM) in his area until October 18, 2021.

In fact, the COVID-19 transmission indicator in Banjarmasin City has dropped after implementing PPKM Level 4 for 10 weeks, from July 26 to October 4, 2021. The PPKM level should have been lowered.

He also quoted the Chairman of the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery, Airlangga Hartarto, who stated that Banjarmasin City had PPKM Level 2 status.

"Four days ago, the Minister said that Banjarmasin was at Level 2, a maximum of Level 3," he said in Banjarmasin as reported by Antara, Tuesday, October 5.

He admitted that he was surprised to learn that the City of Banjarmasin had to run PPKM Level 4 from 5 to 18 October 2021 along with five other regencies and cities outside Java and Bali.

"It's a pity for our community if we continue to Level 4. Where do we want to fly to where we have to spend more. The point is that I protest with the Minister," said Ibnu Sina.

According to him, the City of Banjarmasin has met the requirements to lower the PPKM level with a COVID-19 vaccination coverage of more than 50 percent and an occupancy rate of beds for COVID-19 patients in hospitals of around four percent.