M Julnis Firmansyah, Jakarta – The Islamic Defenders Front's (FPI) plan to stage the 1812 demonstration in front of the State Palace today, Dec. 18, drew many protests on Twitter.

The demonstration, demanding that the government fully disclose the shooting of six FPI members and to release its leader Rizieq Shihab, is seen as a means of transmitting Covid-19.

Jakarta is still implementing partial restrictions on public movements – known locally as PSBB Transition, as the capital still records a high transmission rate.

The #DemoCovidMenanti hashtag went viral after it was first posted by @Txtdaripolitikus. Thousands have used the hashtag to voice their criticism over the FPI act.

Many Twitter users also fear that the demonstration would create a new cluster.

Protests and criticism of staging protests amid a Pandemic also came from TNI Lt. Gen. Doni Monardo, head of the Covid-19 Task Force. He asked the Covid-19 Task Force in Jakarta and the Metro Police to take firm action in responding to this demonstration plan.

Doni reminded him about Jakarta's PSBB rules regarding mass gatherings, which the police can implement to prevent crowds. This is important considering the recent uptick of cases throughout December.

"There are regional laws and governor regulations [prohibiting mass gatherings]," Doni said.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Metro Police chief Insp. Gen. Fadil Imran said he will not issue a Notification Receipt (STTP) for the demonstration, which means that the police are not allowing it to take place.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1415638/twitter-users-condemn-fpi-1812-demo-reminding-covid-19-dange