Indonesian Security Minister Mohamed Mahfouz is facing sharp criticism for likening the Corona virus to wives, in an attempt to allay concerns about easing health restrictions.
The Indonesian government is preparing to partially lift the health closure in parts of the country by early June, and to adapt to the "new normal".
"Are we going to hide forever?" Mahfouz said, in a video posted to YouTube, the day before yesterday. "We can adapt to the situation while still paying attention to our health." He added: "I received a sarcastic flyer from my colleague (Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment) Lohot Pandjaitan, saying that (Corona) is like your wife ... where you are trying to control her first, then you realize that you cannot, and then learn to live with her."
These comments sparked angry responses from women's rights groups and other Indonesians online.
The Solidarity with Women Association said in a statement that this statement "not only reflects the government's inefficiency in dealing with the pandemic (Covid-19), but also shows gender-biased attitudes and the hatred of women by government officials." She added, "Jokes that women use as their subject will only normalize the culture of violence against women."
And confirmed cases of confirmed infection «Corona» virus in Indonesia to 23 thousand and 851 cases, yesterday, an increase of 686 cases over the previous day.
55 deaths were recorded, bringing the total to 1473.
Some Indonesians have expressed concerns about the plan to reopen the economy at a time when the curve of casualties appears uneven.