Demo Rejects Hundreds of Indonesian Citizens from Wuhan, Riot broke out in Natuna

Mass riots occurred at the access gate to Raden Sadjad Airport, Ranai, Natuna Regency, Sunday (2/2/2020). Hundreds of people were involved in a push-off action with the authorities approaching the arrival of the citizens of Wuhan evacuation from Batam to this area.

High concern about the corona virus has ignited Natuna residents against the quarantine efforts of hundreds of Indonesian citizens from Wuhan scheduled to arrive today. Even though the Ministry of Health has ensured that all Indonesian citizens evacuated are in good health, residents continue to reject the quarantine process in Natuna.

The government had previously prepared the Hangar Lanen Raden Sadjad Natuna as a location for observations during the incubation period carried out on Indonesian citizens before they were declared 100 percent safe from the corona virus. The medical and psychological staff have been sent by the Ministry of Health to Natuna.

Pemerintah sebelumnya sudah menyiapkan hanggar Lanud Raden Sadjad Natuna sebagai lokasi observasi selama masa inkubasi yang dilakukan terhadap WNI sebelum mereka dinyatakan 100 persen aman dari virus corona. Tenaga medis dan psikis sudah diturunkan Kemenkes ke Natuna.

The rejection action has occurred since, Saturday (1/1/2020) after the news that Natuna was used as the location of observation for 14 days. Even into the night, a demonstration of citizens broke out at the DPRD office to the gates of Raden Sadjad Airport.

"Whatever the reason, why should Natuna? If yes they are already healthy, why not just go home straight away. That means there is a possibility that they can still be infected, so they were taken to Natuna for observation," said one resident who joined the demonstration.

The mass burned tires while shouting the refusal of the arrival of hundreds of Wuhan citizens. In addition to being shocked by the attitude of the central government who suddenly took this policy, they were also disappointed with the Natuna Regent who was not currently in Natuna.

Deputy Natuna Regent, Ngesti Yuni Suprapti spoke out about the rejection of the Natuna community as the evacuation site for Indonesian citizens from Wuhan. Ngesti admitted, residents were shocked to hear news suddenly from the central government. Moreover, they are overshadowed by the ferocious corona virus that was widely reported on television.

"Natuna residents refuse. We also have no confirmation from the local government (from the central government," Ngesti said, BatamNews, Saturday (1/2/2020).

According to him, residents only knew from newspapers and videos in circulation. "Last night, they went to the DPRD office and also wanted to ask the central government who was in charge of the evacuation," Ngesti said.

source
Batamnews.co.id