Indonesia Highlights: Jakarta Governor Contracts Covid-19 | Indonesians Told to Be Wise with Holiday Travel Plans | National Police Warns 212 Alumni Group

KOMPAS.com – The latest developments surrounding Covid-19 cases in Indonesia involve Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan who tested positive for the virus today.

The top officials of the Jakarta Provincial Government are now confirmed Covid-19 patients after the capital city’s Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria also tested positive last weekend.

Moreover, as Covid-19 cases in Indonesia easily head towards the 450,000-mark, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Muhadjir Effendy advised the public to be wise with their year-end holidays.

Muhadjir reminded the public that despite the official word on the Christmas and New Year holidays, the public should continue prioritizing their personal health and safety as well as their families.

The Indonesian National Police has intensified its efforts to prevent a 212 Alumni Brotherhood reunion from taking place at Jakarta’s National Monument tomorrow.

Although the radical group has stated that it will postpone this year’s event after the Jakarta Provincial Government denied the use of the venue, there is still public worry among law enforcement officials that the group’s members will still follow through.

More details on today’s Indonesia news are highlighted below:

1. Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan Tests Positive for Covid-19

Anies Baswedan believes that he contracted the deadly virus after having worked closely with Ahmad Riza Patria Ahmad.

Cabinet Members praised Anies for his transparency over his diagnosis even as he made one thing clear over his positive test result.

"[Our Covid-19 positive diagnosis] should serve as a warning that anyone can contract Covid-19, so we need to beware."

Anies added that he is asymptomatic and that he will continue working from home.

“We have been used to working long distance since March, so the decision-making process should continue without any hindrances.”

Source: http://go.kompas.com/read/2020/12/01/214532474/jakarta-governor-anies-baswedan-tests-positive-for-covid-19 

2. Govt Advises Indonesian Public to Remain Cautious during Holiday Break

The Indonesian government has decided to cut the 2020 year-end holiday by three days from its initial plan as the country’s new confirmed Covid-19 cases continue to rise.

Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy said the collective leave days for the Christmas holiday start from December 24-27, while the substitute leave days for Idul Fitri will take place only on December 31.

Initially, the government said in April that the substitute leave days for Idul Fitri would be moved to December 28-31 in a bid to anticipate the annual exodus during the celebrations that could cause higher transmission of the Covid-19.

With that, December 28-30 will remain working days.

Minister Muhadjir Effendy asked the public to adhere to health protocols in a nationwide effort to mitigate the novel virus.

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/12/01/19344511/pemerintah-minta-masyarakat-bijaksana-manfaatkan-libur-akhir-tahun 

3. Indonesian National Police Warns 212 Alumni Brotherhood Members

The Indonesian National Police’s Head of the Public Relations Division, Brig. Gen. Awi Setiyono, has threatened to disband a 212 Alumni Brotherhood reunion at the National Monument if the group’s members dare to follow through with their original plans.

Awi also asserted that the national police has not permitted the gathering from taking place as it possesses a high potential of worsening Covid-19 virus transmission.

The group shared to its members that the reunion will be changed to a national dialogue on Dec. 2 which will bring together 100 religious figures and ulemas including the 212 Alumni Brotherhood brainchild Rizieq Shihab.

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/12/01/21465491/bila-reuni-212-tetap-digelar-di-monas-polri-pastikan-bakal-bubarkan?page=all#page2