International Desk:
Indonesian religious groups and experts, including a former vice-president, are urging authorities to delay regional elections set for December, as coronavirus infections surge in the world’s fourth most populous country.

The Dec 9 elections for hundreds of key local leadership posts are a huge logistical undertaking in an archipelago of more than 260 million people and have already been delayed once due to rising virus fears.

Former vice-president Jusuf Kalla, who now heads Indonesia’s Red Cross, in a newspaper commentary on Monday, said a December poll could be dangerous.

“Forcing something that clearly, rationally endangers the people isn’t only reckless, but fatal. Every political process, the noblest goal is for the public’s benefits. Not harm,” he said.

Indonesia has confirmed nearly 245,000 coronavirus infections and 9,553 fatalities, Asia’s highest death toll outside of India. Source: AFP