Jakarta – National Police chief Gen. Idham Azis issued on Monday a telegram to uphold health protocols to prevent the further transmission of COVID-19, stipulating sanctions against health violators amid mass gatherings held by the Islam Defenders Group (FPI).
The telegram orders police personnel to take legal action against any violator of health protocols, without discrimination.
"If there are rejections, disorderly conduct in response to efforts to uphold regional regulations on COVID-19 health protocols, [police] must take firm action," the telegram states as reported by kompas.com.
The telegram also cites several articles that could be used to charge those found in violation of health protocols, such as articles 65, 212, 214, 216 and 218 of the Criminal Code (KUHP).
According to Article 212 of the KUHP, anyone resisting authorities could face one year and four months' imprisonment and be ordered to pay a fine of Rp 4,500 (0.32 US cents). While Article 216 of the KUHP stipulates that anyone that disobeys authorities could face four months and two weeks in jail and a fine of Rp 9,000.
Meanwhile, Article 218 states that crowds that fail to disperse after authorities order them to do so three times, could face four months and two weeks in jail and a fine of Rp 9,000.
The letter also stated that police would use articles 84 and 93 of Law No. 6/2018 on health quarantine, which states that those who fail to adhere to health quarantine orders could face one year in prison and a fine of Rp 100 million.
The police are investigating possible violations during a wedding and gathering to commemorate Prophet Muhammad's Birthday held by FPI leader Rizieq Shihab.
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan paid a visit to the Jakarta Police headquarters on Tuesday for questioning related to the event. Idham has also removed Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Nana Sudjana and West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Rudy Sufahrdiay for their failure to enforce health protocols.
The event was reportedly attended by 10,000 people at the FPI headquarters in Petamburan, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, on Saturday, despite the government's call for the imposition of social distancing measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Jakarta Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) had also ordered Rizieq to pay a fine of Rp 50 billion for organizing the event, which had been paid off by the FPI.
The firebrand cleric was again at the center of controversy following his return to the country last Tuesday after nearly three years of self-proclaimed exile in Saudi Arabia. His arrival at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten also drew thousands of his supporters who gathered at the airport to welcome him, causing severe traffic congestion and the cancellation of several flights.