Jakarta's Deputy Governor, Ahmad Riza Patria. (Image via Kompas)

Ahmad Riza Patria: We've done our best

Speaking on Monday at the City Hall, Jakarta's Deputy Governor, Ahmad Riza Patria, stated that Jakarta Government had done its best to prevent mass gathering during the Mawlid Nabi and the wedding reception of the daughter of the leader of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), Muhammad Rizieq Shihab. One of which is by issuing a warning to not attend the event. Patria stated that once there is any violation, the Government will follow-up and impose a fine.

Riza's statement came as a response toward the statement from the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD. Previously, Mahfud stated that the violation in the health protocol against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Petamburan was the irresponsibility of the Jakarta Government. Mahfud also claimed that the central government had warned Jakarta's Governor, Anies Baswedan, to use his authority in following up the violation.

Due to the limited amount of officers of the Jakarta Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) and other authority members, Patria admitted that he could not disperse the attendees. He also added that he and his team had given warnings through posters.

Moreover, since the beginning, Patria had asked Rizieq and FPI to not hold events that would cause mass-gathering. He asserted that the Jakarta Government had taken a firm action by imposing an Rp50 million sanction on Rizieq. Patria closed his statement by asking people to maintain social distancing, especially in a religious gathering, according to the COVID-19 protocols, regulations, and provisions.

Source: https://bit.ly/32MfhLW