TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian National Police (Polri) Chief General Tito Karnavian barred the ‘212 Group’ or PA 212 from holding any form of public protest in front of the Constitutional Court (MK) in Central Jakarta. His warning also applies to any group planning to protest in front of the court during the election dispute trial.

“I’ve made this clear to the Jakarta Metro Police, also to the Intelligence and Security Agency (Baintelkam) to not issue any permits,” said Tito at his office in South Jakarta, Tuesday, June 25.

Tito made sure that this restriction does not violate the public’s constitutional right to freedom of expression based on Article 6 in Law No.9/1998 on freedom of expression oversees public gatherings, protests, and rallies. The law prohibits such activities from creating a public disturbance.

This decision is also heavily influenced by the aftermath of the May 22 riots in Central Jakarta, which left 9 people dead and leaving dozens injured.

The MK headquarters is guarded by 47,000 joint personnel from the Indonesian Military (TNI) and police force ahead of announcing the verdict of the election dispute trial scheduled on June 27.

Police have set security forces across numerous, what is considered, vital locations such as the Presidential Palace, General Elections Commission (KPU) headquarters, Elections Supervisory Board (Bawaslu), and a number of embassies.

ANDITA RAHMA

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