TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has guaranteed that all Indonesian citizens evacuated from Hubei province, China, to Natuna, Batam, Riau Islands, are in good health.

He said the observations in the Natuna region were necessary. "In the health protocol, there are required steps to take before returning them to the families. Stages of observation so that they are declared clean, clean so they can return to their families," Jokowi said in Bogor, West Java, Monday, February 3, 2020.

Jokowi said Natuna was chosen for various reasons, among them for being the most suitable place for observations.

"There are those who propose Morotai and Biak. Because we need to land [the aircraft], we need an airstrip so we can land [the aircraft]. Not all islands can be used," Jokowi said.

Jokowi also said the government also calculated the level of preparedness of the health team there. Natuna does have a military base because it is one of the outer regions of Indonesia. On that basis, Natuna was later chosen.

Jokowi also expressed his gratitude for the permission of the Natuna people to establish an observation center there. He asked the community to accept the decision. "I think we need the magnanimity of the entire Indonesian community. After all, they are all our brothers," Jokowi said.

Reporter : Egi Adiyatama

Translator : Galuh Kurnia Ramadhani