TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD) members decided to hold a marathon meeting in Jaya Raya Hotel in Puncak, Bogor Regency, from Tuesday to Wednesday, October 20-21, 2020.

The city council’s acting secretary, Hadameon Aritonang, said the location of the meeting was moved in a bid to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

“Here in Puncak, the place is open. Unlike in the DPRD building where there is no ventilation. It’s a closed building,” said Hadameon when contacted today, October 21.

Hadameon explained that legislators had deliberated the city’s budget with the Budget Committee on Tuesday. The discussion was continued today along with all commissions, regional working units (SKPD), and related regional-owned enterprises.

The location of the meeting, he added, was proposed directly by legislators during the Steering Committee’s meeting last week.

Jakarta legislators had also held meetings outside the DPRD Building in Kebon Sirih in early September. The DPRD Commission B overseeing economic affairs and Commission C on finances established a meeting at Pulau Dua Restaurant in Senayan, Central Jakarta.

Hadameon on Tuesday, September 1, claimed the face-to-face meeting at the restaurant was aimed at preventing crowds in the office and anticipating COVID-19 transmission. While in fact, the legislative building had just reopened on August 31, after it was closed since July 25, 2020, for sterilization.

Also Read: DPRD, Jakarta Hold Plenary Meet to Discuss Local Rule on Controlling COVID-19

IMAM HAMDI | ANTARA