"In any emergency situation, it is the government's responsibility to ensure (that our) citizens can eat," Golkar Executive Board Chairman MH Iqbal Wibisono stated here on Wednesday in response to reports that several food stall owners were compelled to engage in hide-and-seek behavior to avoid police raids.
Wibisono stressed that the government should not only seek citizens' adherence to the emergency PPKM regulation but should also be accountable for guaranteeing fulfillment of the basic needs of citizens and livestock during the PPKM period in seven Java-Bali provinces and eight provinces outside Java-Bali to ensure families can earn a living to support themselves.
Iqbal admitted that the emergency PPKM profoundly affected citizens in various aspects of their lives, thereby resulting in a decline in social activities, purchasing power, and citizens' income.
To cope with restrictions during the emergency PPKM, all elements of society should modify their daily habits pertaining to formal and informal trade, social and religious activities, as well as other behaviors in society, Iqbal stated.
Iqbal also noted that despite the hardships, the emergency PPKM is deemed necessary to stem the transmission of COVID-19 and to help Indonesia surmount over the pandemic.
Iqbal reminded the government to ensure the fulfillment of basic needs of housing, clothing, and food.
"Those three basic needs should not be neglected by the government because it is already stipulated in Art. 55 of Health Quarantine Law No. 6 of 2018," Iqbal stated.
Earlier, the central government declared emergency PPKM in seven Java-Bali provinces -- Jakarta, Banten, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, and Bali -- on July 3, 2021, with eight other provinces -- North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Riau Islands, Lampung, West Kalimantan, East Nusa Tenggara, and West Papua -- following suit on July 12, 2021. The government set the end of the emergency PPKM on July 20, 2021.
The government also declared emergency PPKM to be implemented from July 12 until July 20 in Medan City in North Sumatra; Bukittinggi City, Padang City, and Padang Panjang City in West Sumatra; Batam and Tanjung Pinang City in Riau Islands; Bandar Lampung City in Lampung; Pontianak City and Singkawang City in West Kalimantan; Berau District, Balikpapan City, Bontang City in East Kalimantan; Mataram City in West Nusa Tenggara; and Manokwari District and Sorong City in West Papua.
Related news: Government counterbalances effects of PPKM implementation through PEN
Related news: Government's decision on COVID-19 handling still integrated: minister
Translator: D. Kliwantoro, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
