Police Examined, Tourists Positive For COVID-19, Who Travels In Malang: We Apologize, Please Forgive

Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of Malang City Police Commissioner Tinton Yudha Riambodo (third left) with Reza Fahd Adrian (second right) and his wife (third right), at a press conference/ANTARA/Vicki Febrianto

MALANG - The Malang City Resort Police examined a tourist who claimed to be exposed to COVID-19 but continued to carry out tourist activities, Reza Fahd Adrian, with his wife.

Head of Criminal Investigation Unit for Malang City Police, Commissioner Tinton Yudha Riambodo, said that the examination of the two men had been carried out since Wednesday, February 23 after they both arrived from Samarinda, East Kalimantan.

"Since yesterday, we have conducted an investigation. Cooperatively, the person concerned came to the Malang City Police", Tinton said Thursday, February 24.

Tinton explained that before examining Reza and his wife, the police had carried out an antigen swab test for both of them. The examination was carried out to confirm that both had tested negative for COVID-19.

According to him, the inspection was carried out to find out which areas Reza and his wife visited during their visit to the Malang City area in a condition exposed to COVID-19. They also do an in-depth investigation when conducting an inspection.

"For the destinations visited, there are tourist attractions but they are in the Batu City area, for Malang City only to the Lai-Lai Shop", he said.

Based on the results of the temporary examination, Reza, who is a Civil Servant (PNS), actually only stopped in Malang City, after previously from Yogyakarta, and will continue his journey to Bali.

However, when he was about to continue his journey from Malang City to Bali Island, Reza's wife was confirmed positive for COVID-19 after undergoing an antigen test which is one of the requirements for traveling outside the region.

"His wife was positive, finally canceled the trip to Bali and headed to Batu City to visit several tourist attractions", he said.

Currently, Reza is still a witness in the case that has attracted public attention. The examination of Reza will be subject to Article 93 of the Quarantine Law, which carries a penalty of one year in prison and a fine of IDR 100 million.

Meanwhile, Reza, who is the owner of Reza Fahd Adrian's Facebook account, said that he and his wife will follow all the legal processes carried out by the Malang City Police.

"We will work closely together to fulfill the inspection. We will cooperate", he said.

Reza admitted that he was very sorry for uploading travel activities when his wife was exposed to COVID-19 during a visit to the Malang City and Batu City areas. He hoped it would not happen again.

He also apologized to all Indonesian people, especially residents of Malang City and Batu City for their decision to continue traveling even though his wife was exposed to the Coronavirus.

In addition, Reza also apologized to the Lai-Lai Store which had to be closed for five days due to one of the employees who was reactive to COVID-19. He also promised to be wiser in using social media in the future.

"We apologize and ask for forgiveness profusely to the people of Indonesia, especially the people of Malang City and Batu City. Also to Lai-Lai Stores", he said.

Reza Fahd Adrian on January 27, 2022, stated in his Facebook account that he had canceled his vacation to Bali because he was declared exposed to COVID-19 after undergoing a swab test when he was about to cross to the Bali area.

After the swab test results were confirmed positive for COVID-19, he then did not take steps to handle it in the form of self-isolation but chose to travel in Malang City and Batu City, East Java.