IDNEWSNOW.COM, Jakarta – Foreign Affairs Ministry Deputy, Mahendra Siregar, called for the Jakarta administration to reexamine the plan to impose a full-scale social restriction (PSBB) – as announced by Governor Anies Baswedan – as he views it would collapse industries ahead of the fourth quarter of 2020.
“I fear if the situation is generalized and, yet again, implemented unrealistically with a mindset that the pandemic will end in a short period, no industry will survive,” said Mahendra in the virtual meeting with the chamber of commerce and industry (Kadin) on Thursday, Sept. 10.
He argues that the Jakarta administration should make exceptions for the manufacturing industry or other business sectors that have abided by strict health protocols, such as providing transportation for its employees to avoid using public transportation.
The chamber of commerce along with other organizations has worked on a system that ranks business entities that abide by health protocols. The list will be handed to the Jakarta administration for further follow-up.
“It will be pushed to the Jakarta administration for a few exceptions and also be a benchmark. If not, I truly fear our survival for the mid-term and long-term,” said Mahendra in terms of the PSBB.
Read: Govt Urged to Expand Stimulus to Prevent Layoffs as Jakarta Reimposes PSBB
FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA
