NINETEEN MPs of Indonesia’s Parliament have been confirmed Covid-19 positive, with the republic recording 3,492 new positive cases in the past 24 hours.

According to Secretary-General of the House of Representatives (DPR) Indra Iskandar, 42 staff of the house have also been infected with the virus.

Speaking to local media today, he expressed concern about more staff of the house being confirmed Covid-19 positive.

The last time the Indonesian DPR, which has 575 members, met was on October 5, when it passed the Omnibus Law on Job Creation, which also led to protests being held in Jakarta and several other cities on October 8 by quarters who opposed the law.

Last Friday, Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party lawmaker Soepriyatno died after contracting Covid-19.

Based on Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB) data, total cases in the republic now stands at 336,716, with 11,935 deaths.

Jakarta recorded the highest total number of positive cases at 88,174, with an additional 1,211 new infections in the last 24 hours.

Jakarta has re-enforced the transition phase (recovery) of the large-scale social restriction (PSBB) for two weeks starting today, which, among others, allows some socio-economic activities to resume operations.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said in a statement the PSBB would be re-enforced if the number of daily cases continues to surge. – Bernama, October 12, 2020.