Deputy Mayor Of Surabaya Responds To Urge For PPKM To Be Revoked Ahead Of Ramadan

SURABAYA - Deputy Mayor of Surabaya Armuji responded to the discourse on the proposal to revoke Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) ahead of Ramadan, which was supported by two Islamic organizations, namely Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah Surabaya.

"That is the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs," said Deputy Mayor (Wawali) Armuji in Surabaya as reported by Antara, Saturday, March 5.

However, he continued, the current ranks of the Surabaya City Government continue to work hard to bring down PPKM levels, so that when welcoming Ramadan, residents can carry out worship solemnly.

According to Armuji, there are three main indicators that become parameters for implementing the PPKM level in a region. First, the COVID-19 community transmission indicator, which includes three things, namely data on positive confirmed cases of COVID-19, data on hospitalizations and data on deaths due to COVID-19.

"Currently, the recovery rate is 94.3 percent or around 104,053 people and the trend of healing continues to increase. Hopefully, the residents' hopes can be realized through mutual cooperation and mutual awareness," he said.

Armuji explained that the handling of COVID-19 in the city of Surabaya had been optimal through massive vaccination, testing and tracing as well as the implementation of the use of strict health protocols.

Previously, DPR member Muhammad Sarmuji suggested that PPKM ahead of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr be revoked with the consideration that the government had succeeded in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, so that Muslims who carry out fasting during Ramadan can be solemn and not worry about violating the PPKM.

The proposal then received support from the Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PCNU) Surabaya City Branch Management Ahmad Muhibbin. He admitted that he agreed with the discourse.

In fact, he hopes that all stakeholders in Indonesia have the same goal. So, the implementation of worship in the month of Ramadan which falls on April 2022 can take place normally and solemnly.

The chairman of the Muhammadiyah Regional Leadership (PDM) for the City of Surabaya, Hamri Al Jauhari, said the same thing. He said if the discourse was successfully implemented, it would provide flexibility for Muslims to worship in the month of Ramadan without any pressure.

However, he reminded that the implementation of the prokes should still be upheld if PPKM ahead of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr is revoked.