Police Clarify Involvement of Thugs to Uphold Covid-19 Health Protocols
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14 September 2020 21:24 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Police Deputy Chief Comr. Gen. Gatot Eddy Pramono rebutted issues that the police planned to recruit thugs or local gangs to enforce Covid-1 protocols in traditional markets.
The police, Gatot clarified, would involve leaders of informal communities in traditional markets to raise collective awareness about the basic health principles.
"In reality in our society, traditional markets do not have [formal] leaders. Some people call them the head of security, foreman, or jeger. It is not that we will recruit thugs," said Gatot in a hearing with the House of Representatives (DPR) Law Commission on Monday, September 14, 2020.
According to Gatot, the informal figures had no authority to impose sanctions stipulated in the regional administration or regional head regulations. The authority to impose such sanctions lies under the Public Order Agency or Satpol PP.
Gatot explained that the police have very limited personnel. Thus, involving informal leaders in a community was necessary to ensure the implementation of the health protocols amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
"If we have collective awareness, we can accelerate efforts to break the Covid-19 transmission chain," the Police Deputy Chief said.
AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI
