Jokowi Talks of Possible 'Mudik' Ban Ahead of Eid
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9 April 2020 19:18 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Ahead of Eid al-Fitr holiday, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo admits that an official prohibition from the central government, banning the Indonesian people to go homecoming (mudik) is still possible, as the government continues to evaluate the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"(Any) restrictions on exodus and the possibility of a mudik ban will be decided after going through on-field evaluations," he said in a teleconference from the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday, April 9.
Thus far, the government's policy on Eid homecoming has been strictly limited to appeals, warning the people not to go home without a legal prohibition.
According to Jokowi, there are several considerations behind the government’s decision, primarily due to economic reasons.
"There are groups of people who have been forced to return home because of economic problems that arose after social restrictions have been put in place. As a result, their income dropped, or they don't even have jobs and thus they don't have income. We can’t just outright ban them from going to their hometown,” the president stated.
However, the government has anticipated this issue by preparing social safety nets; geared to ensure that the needs of the people refraining from geoing mudik still be met.
On the other hand, Jokowi admitted that Eid exodus is a longstanding tradition of the nation. "So once again, we will decide on (any) homecoming restrictions and the possibility of a mudik ban after we go through on-field evaluations daily," he emphasized.
DEWI NURITA | Translator: DIO SUHENDA (Intern)
