TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinator of the Election Defender Alliance, Andre Rosiade, claimed to have been the victim of police’s repressive act during the protests at the Constitutional Court (MK) last Thursday. Andre claimed that the damages inflicted around the area were government’s responsibility.

"We were victims. Why we were told to indemnify [the damages]. Djoko Suyanto (coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister) admitted that it was the police’s mistake," Andre said yesterday.

Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama asked protest leaders at the MK to be responsible for the damages inflicted in the city park. Urban planning expert from Trisakti University, Nirwono Joga, said those who caused the damages can be charged with 60-day prison and Rp20-million (US$1,667) fine based on the regional regulation number 8/2007 regarding public order.

Andre said Ahok should file a lawsuit against the police for lobbing tear gas, chasing protests and conducting other repressive actions. Such actions had caused protesters ran into parks and caused the damages.

However, if the government insisted on urging Prabowo’s volunteers to indemnify the park damages, Andre said that he would repair the Arjuna Wiwaha Park. To date, the Jakarta Parks and Cemeteries Agency has yet to contact the volunteers to coordinate the park repair.

DEWI SUCI RAHAYU