TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Preparatory Committee-All Indonesia United Workers Confederation (KP-KPBI) condemned Jakarta Police’s action banning the Belok Kiri.Fest event to be held at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Jakarta. The KP-KPBI viewed that the ban violated the freedom of association and expression.

KPBI collective leaders chairman Michael viewed that the ban was a backward step in democracy during President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s era. Michael said that the ban was similar to criminalization against 26 workers during a protest launched on October 30, 2015.

“The government has shown it’s authoritarian nature by violating the basic right to associate and express opinion,” Michael said in a press release received by Tempo on Sunday, February 28, 2016.

Michael added that the government only facilitated permits for investments. Hampering the organizing committee to gain the permit for Belok Kiri.Fest event, Michael said, was an effort to restrain the freedom of association and expression.

The KPBI also viewed that the reason to ban the event based on rejection and threats posed by certain individuals could not be justified.

“The state should protect its citizens against threats, instead of supporting the aggressive side,” Michael added.

Earlier, the Belok Kiri.Fest event was scheduled on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Taman Ismail Marzuki. However, the event was relocated to the Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation (LBH Jakarta) due to a ban issued by the Police.

“The event will be held with several changes and improvisations,” Belok Kiri.Fest committee spokesperson Veronica said in a press conference on Saturday.

ARKHELAUS W.