TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo argued that dispersing crowds during the 2020 Regional Head Election (Pilkada) event is the authority of the Election Supervisory Agency or Bawaslu.

“There is a supervisory committee of the election,” said Ganjar on Thursday, November 19, in response to the instruction issued by Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian regarding the enforcement of the health protocol.

In the instruction, Tito noted that regional heads who are failing to enforce the health protocol in their respective regions are subject to sanctions up to dismissal.

According to Ganjar, Bawaslu should not hesitate to take action when finding the health protocol breaches in the field. Bawaslu could ask for the government’s help, he added. “If needed, the police and the regional administration are ready to assist.”

He asserted that the health protocol against Covid-19 in his region is still valid. Events potentially attract crowds will not be allowed, he said.

Ganjar reiterated that the enforcement and education of the health protocol, as well as the imposition of sanctions on violators, are carried out through the Yustisi operation. Ahead of the year-end holiday, he claimed he had mapped potential crowds, especially in tourist destinations.

“If it (tourist site) is crowded and cannot be controlled, it will be closed,” the governor underlined.

However, Ganjar Pranowo admitted that he will permit events that are held under strict health protocol, which means participants are limited, comply with the physical distancing, and wear face masks. “This is what we call adapting to new habits,” he said.

Read: Ganjar Pranowo Talks of Special Health Protocol for Boarding Schools

JAMAL A NASHR