SURABAYA - Depot owners and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the city of Surabaya, East Java, support the discourse of members of the House of Representatives so that the Implementation of Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM) is revoked during the month of Ramadan 1443 Hijri later.
"Since the Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) and PPKM, there has been almost no turnover at all, even though we have an obligation to provide holiday allowances (THR) for employees," said businessman Inggit Wijayanti when meeting with the Chairman of the DPD Golkar Party Surabaya City Arif Fathoni in Surabaya reported by Antara, Saturday, March 5.
Previously, DPR member and Chairman of the East Java Golkar DPD Muhammad Sarmuji suggested that PPKM ahead of Ramadan and Eid be revoked with the consideration that the government had succeeded in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, so that Muslims who carry out Ramadan fasting can be solemn and not worry about violating the PPKM.
Inggit admitted that it had been 2 years since her party had lost their turnover due to the tightening policy.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic entered Indonesia, he continued, every holy month of Ramadan the place was always crowded with orders for iftar activities.
"Since PSBB and PPKM, there has been almost no turnover at all, even though we have an obligation to provide employee THR," said the owner of the Flavo Café business.
He said that when he heard the proposal that PPKM be stopped in welcoming the holy month of Ramadan, his party supported and hoped that the central government would hear and immediately revoke the PPKM policy.
This, he continued, is so that the owners of depots and restaurants in the city of Surabaya can get back on track in helping the government restore the economy which has stalled due to the ongoing pandemic.
"We don't ask the government for food, please relax the policy so we can find food and provide for many people," he said.
Receiving the complaint, the Chairman of the Surabaya City Golkar Party DPD Arif Fathoni said that his party understood the anxiety of restaurant and depot owners in the city of Surabaya, and hoped that the central government would immediately revoke the PPKM policy because of the success of the city of Surabaya in dealing with this pandemic.
"The achievement of vaccination in the city of Surabaya has been extraordinary, the collective awareness of the citizens in implementing the health program has also been well developed, so it's time for easing, so that no more residents of Surabaya will experience economic difficulties," he said.
Moreover, he continued, the iftar event was not just an ordinary meal gathering, but it was an annual tradition that was always held by Surabaya residents who had been separated because of their busy lives, so that iftar moments became an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between elements of the community.
"This is a get-together that benefits many people, knitting friendships also triggers economic cycles, 2 years of this activity was lost due to the pandemic, hopefully this year it can be carried out again," he said.
According to him, usually every holy month of Ramadan, MSME actors also often get orders for packaged rice which are distributed by elements and the community for takjil sharing activities on the streets in the city of Surabaya.
However, due to the tightening policy by the government, finally, with public awareness, these activities were abolished so that it affected the turnover of MSMEs in the city of Surabaya.
"Currently, Surabaya has reached communal immunity. We hope that PPKM will be abolished. It is our duty to continue to remind the public that health protocols should continue to be implemented by the community, health will recover, the economy will rise," said Arif Fathoni.
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