Jakarta (ANTARA) – Vice Chief of the House of Representatives’ (DPR’s) Commission III Ahmad Sahroni deemed it unethical to derive political mileage from the COVID-19 pandemic that has presented tough challenges to the people.
“Recently, we saw several maneuvers by various parties, especially for political purposes. I personally view this as unethical, because we are currently struggling together against the pandemic,” Sahroni noted in his statement here on Monday while referring to various political maneuvers, such as the early start of the Election 2024 campaign and “Jokowi end game” movement.
According to Sahroni, the COVID-19 pandemic is a humanitarian disaster that should elicit all to work hand in hand to address difficulties rather than to attack one another.
“Do not use the COVID-19 pandemic as a political ‘weapon’. Please use your conscience,” he elaborated.
Sahroni believes that if the objective is to win the public’s votes, then all parties should leave no stone unturned in their endeavors to handle the pandemic, as the people can judge for themselves.
He believes that the political “battle” will instead distract everyone from handling the pandemic that will further aggravate the situation.
“Hence, for now, please stop this political ‘war’ and fighting. If politicians, officials, or political parties work well and help the people, they (the public) will see,” he emphasized. In addition, Sahroni asserted that he will communicate with the police over the possibilities of prohibiting all demonstrations during the implementation of the community activity restrictions (PPKM) measures.
On March 2, 2020, the Indonesian government had announced the first case of COVID-19 in Indonesia. In order to stem the spread of COVID-19, the government decided to implement a large-scale social distancing measure (PSBB).
Following a drastic spike of the COVID19 infections last June, the government has imposed the PPKM from July 3 until 20, 2021, which has later been extended twice, respectively until July 26, and until August 2, 2021.
Source: Antara News