Luhut Rejects Anies Proposal On PTM, DPR Leader: COVID-19 Fluctuates, Can Increase Can Be Slop

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco Ahmad (Photo: Nailin In Saroh/VOI)

JAKARTA - Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives from the Gerindra faction, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, commented on the rejection of the DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan's proposal by the Coordinator for Handling COVID-19 Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan regarding the termination of face-to-face learning (PTM) 100 percent.

According to Dasco, the central government has considerations after evaluating the development of COVID-19 in the country. Thus, PTM is still enforced even though its capacity is reduced.

"I think this is COVID-19 fluctuating. From time to time it can grow up and grow slopingly. Responding to COVID-19 at this time of rise, the government evaluates the need for PTM only at 50 percent," said Dasco at the DPR Building, Monday, February 7.

Even so, Dasco assessed, the government is still monitoring the development of COVID-19 cases so that control measures can be taken if PTM is deemed unsafe.

"We don't know then in the next one or two days, this will continue to be monitored by the government to take steps regarding PTM," said the Gerindra Daily Chair.

Meanwhile, DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan admitted that he could accept the central government's decision to reject DKI Jakarta's proposal to stop face-to-face learning (PTM) in schools.

"If it is still in the process, there are proposals. But if it is a decision, then we will implement the decision," said Anies, Monday, February 7.

Anies previously proposed that the 100 percent PTM which was ongoing in Jakarta was stopped and replaced with distance learning for a month to stop the spike in COVID-19.

The proposal was conveyed by Anies to the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment who is also the Coordinator for the implementation of the Java-Bali community activity restrictions (PPKM) Luhut Binsar Panjaitan.

However, in the end, the central government decided that Jakarta, which had PPKM level 2 status, was still required to hold a PTM with a minimum capacity of 50 percent of students. Anies also confirmed that DKI would follow the government's decision. PTM with a capacity of 50 percent of students has been started since last Friday.

"We will continue to carry out face-to-face learning," said Anies.