The President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, was criticized for being "irresponsible" for handling COVID-19 in Indonesia by the Democrats. (Image via Bali Express)

Democrats: Large-scale physical distancing means the government is irresponsible

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Politics & Economic
News Flash Indonesia
Mar 31, 2020
1470
The Chairman of Central Executive Board (DPP) of Democratic Party, Jansen Sitindaon, criticized the action of the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), who preferred large-scale social distancing (PSBB) to lockdown in tackling the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Indonesia.

Jansen said that by PSBB, it sounds like Jokowi is being irresponsible from fulfilling the basic needs of the people. Moreover, he also criticized Jokowi’s request to combine PSSB with the implementation of a civil emergency. Jansen said that the policy is too pragmatic and power-oriented, and it does not help the people in need.

Furthermore, Jansen questioned the policies chosen by Jokowi. He said that the options showed that Jokowi is willing to control, yet unwilling to bear the burden of the people. Jansen reminded Jokowi that the options taken should refer to the 2018 Health Quarantine Law, a regulation that covers all emergency and is compelling, yet the law still pays attention to the people’s needs.

Democrats said that for now, Jokowi needs to announce a state of public health emergency to announce lockdown, as regulated in the Health Quarantine Law. The civil emergency is seen as the government’s scheme to silence criticisms and cover their incompetence in handling COVID-19.

All the fractions in the People’s Representative Assembly (DPR) agreed to reallocate the State Budget to tackle COVID-19. Therefore, the President should not worry.

Source: https://bit.ly/3auJocF

Politics , Criticism , Opinion , Medical , Health , Pandemic , COVID-19 , ASEAN , Indonesia , Joko-Widodo , Lockdown