TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Kendari City Mayor Sulkarnain Kadir said that he will forbid foreign workers from China to enter the city during the Covid-19 pandemic. "Go ahead if they want to enter from other regions," Sulkarnain said during a discussion broadcasted by MNC Trijaya radio on Saturday, May 2, 2020.

Sulkarnain said that the immigration office had informed that the foreign workers have no administrative issues. They have passed the health tests and underwent quarantine. However, Sulkarnain also requested the government to taken consideration of the psychological aspects of local residents.

Sulkarnain said that normally, Kendari is known as a transit hub for foreign workers who are going to work in other regions.

Sulkarnain asserted that the policy to transport foreign workers from China has triggered a feeling of injustice among Kendari residents. In addition, the move can also potentially affect public trusts toward the government.

"People are told to stay at home and don't go anywhere, no homecoming but instead foreign workers are coming," Sulkarnain said.

Moreover, Sulkarnain said that the public has viewed China as the center of the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, he requested the central government to consider the psychological aspects of local residents.

"We firmly [rejects], I am supported by the people, we have agreed that to protect the people is the utmost principle," Sulkarnain concluded.

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI