Natuna Regent Protests Against Coronavirus Observation Program

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Natuna Regent Abdul Hamid Rizal and several representatives of the regency flew to Jakarta to meet with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Monday, January 3, 2020.

The regent made the decision to meet with the President after meeting Monday the protesters at his regency’s Regional Representatives Council (DPRD) who were against the central government’s decision to quarantine Indonesians who were evacuated from coronavirus-hit China.

The regent told the protesters that the quarantine decision was made by the central government. “It should be known that the observation program in Natuna is the government’s,” he said before the protesters.

Hamid added the central government had never informed his administration of the observation in Natuna. “I was oblivious of the program,” he said, adding that his government was actually also against the plan.

Hamid said he would write the President a letter to convey the aspirations of the people in his regency, which consisted of six demands--among them that the evacuees from Wuhan should be transferred to a naval warship (KRI).

The people also demanded the central government give them compensation, including in the forms of a health post in Natuna and the provision of doctors and psychiatrists in the regency.

Reporter: Yogi Eka Sahputra

Translator: Galuh Kurnia Ramadhani