Permit, criticism, sanction reacting to 200 firms remain operating during PSBB

Last updated on May 11th, 2021 at 08:39 am

Many companies are still operating during the period of the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) in the capital. Jakarta Manpower, Transmigration, and Energy Agency discovered that because they earn permission from the Industry Ministry.

“I inspect companies that are not exempted [from the PSBB order] but having a permit from the Industry Ministry to carry out their normal activities during the enforcement of PSBB,” said the city’s Manpower, Transmigration, and Energy Agency Head Andri Yansyah, as quoted by Tempo on Tuesday, April 14.

Andri mentioned that over 200 companies excluded from the list of sectors that are allowed to operate during the city’s strict physical distancing in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic obtained an operational permit from the central government.

Averagely, he added, they are big firms with thousands of workers.

Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita spoke out about allegations of violations by a number of industries operating during periods of PSBB.

Agus explained, the non-essential alias industry that is not excluded in the PSBB policy can indeed still operate if it has a permit.

“Non-essential industries can still operate with the permission of the Minister of Industry,” he said on Wednesday, April 15.

Meanwhile, all essential industries can operate without permission from the Minister of Industry.

Even so, in its work process, the industry is required to comply with protocols and guidelines during the Covid-19 virus pandemic. The Ministry of Industry has also issued circulars as guidelines and protocols for the industry.

On the other hand, Observers Public Policy Agus Pambagio considers the Ministry of Industry’s policy regarding the granting of company licenses in regions that apply PSBB to be incorrect.

“The policy issued by the Ministry of Industry is rather crazy in my opinion. People are more willing to adjust their distance so that they are not exposed to why they are still allowed to work. I consider it a crazy decision,” Agus said when contacted on Wednesday, April 15.

Despite attention to health standards, this is not considered to be effective because community mobility in the public sphere continues to make transmission more vulnerable.

“It will not be effective if it only relies on health standards because workers in KRL are jostling, eating together, I feel immediately (the Ministry of Industry must) stop it and in accordance with the President’s instructions namely PSBB,” Agus said.

With the implementation of the PSBB, it is expected to continue to carry out physical distancing and carry out work from their respective homes to prevent the spread of the corona virus. According to him, if it is still carried out, the spread will continue.

For information, there is a Circular of the Minister of Industry Number 7 of 2020 concerning Submission of Application for Licensing for the Implementation of Industrial Activities during the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency. The letter requires companies to have operational licenses during the Covid-19 pandemic emergency response period.

Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan spoke of imposing sanction against companies that continue to operate during the implementation of PSBB in the capital city.

“We have to ensure that all parties that break the rule will face sanctions, ranging from revocation of license and other sanctions,” Baswedan noted, adding that the PSBB is being imposed to protect all citizens.

The Jakarta administration has imposed PSBB for a 14-day period, effective from April 10 to 23, 2020 and based on Governor Regulation No. 33 of 2020.