Jakarta Issued $92,000 of Fines in a Week During Covid-19 Outbreak

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The Jakarta Provincial Administration has issued Rp. 1.355 billion ($92,303.25) worth of fines since it decided to extend transitory large-scale social distancing this week.

While the amount is a far cry from the stiff penalties that make Singapore a fine city, it does show the extent of violations in the Indonesian capital during this period.

DKI Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria, better known as Ariza, noted that the fines vary according to the infraction and those who commit them.

Also read: Jakarta Covid-19 Restrictions Extended for Another Two Weeks

“The fines range from Rp. 250,000 [$17.03] to Rp. 25 million [$1,7,03.01],” Ariza told the Antara news agency.

“The former is for individuals who do not wear a mask, while the latter are for businesses and restaurants, some of which operate in malls, which violate rules like doing business at more than 50 percent capacity.”

Ariza added that the authorities have not entirely laid down the law.

“We have not prosecuted any offenders yet, though that will change at the end of July,” he said. “Once again, we urge the public to cooperate with us.”

Ariza insisted that the Jakarta Provincial Administration is not seeking to profit from the fines.

Jakarta Public Order (Satpol PP) head Arifin said that Rp. 655 million, or half of the fines, occurred during the transitory large-scale social distancing period starting from June 5.