Jokowi: Protesters Can Challenge Perpu on mass Organizations

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi suggested individuals who are planning to launch a protest against the Government Regulation in Lieu of Law on Mass Organizations to take legal actions rather instead of marching on city streets.

“People can use the existing legal mechanism if they are against [the law],” said President Jokowi today on Thursday, July 27.

Read: Komnas HAM: Perpu on Mass Organizations Threatens Minorities

Former protesters of the Jakarta Rally held on December 2, 2016, are planning to march from Istiqlal Mosque in central Jakarta to the Constitutional Court to protest against the government’s decision to issue the law. It was estimated that as many as 10,000 people will attend the rally led by Amien Rais.

Protesters said that the rally was aimed at expressing their supports for Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) that has already filed a lawsuit against the passing of the law. 

Read: Rejecting of Perpu on Mass Organization, GNPF MUI to Stage Rally

Jokowi said that he will not ban the rally and will let it take place. However, Jokowi said that that it would be wiser for the protesters to take legal actions considering that Indonesia is a constitutional state.

“After all, the law is still being discussed in the House of Representatives, which is also a process of democracy,” Jokowi added.

ISTMAN MP