TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - House of Representatives (DPR) speaker Bambang Soesatyo said he would take responsibility for the casualties from a wave of demonstrations protesting various problematic laws staged throughout the country.

The protests saw two students in Kendari died, allegedly of being shot and blunt force trauma to the head, respectively. “As the DPR leader, I will take responsibility,” said Bambang Soesatyo at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Friday, September 27.

Bambang also offered his condolences to the victim’s families. However, he further appealed to the students taking to the streets to refrain from committing anarchy and being triggered by provocation.

Two students of Halu Oleo University, Randy and La Ode Yusuf Kardawi, were killed during a protest against several problematic draft bill on Thursday, September 26, before the Southeast Sulawesi Legislative Council (DPRD) building.

Bambang claimed he had carried out his duties as the House speaker under the law mechanism. The passage of four draft bills rejected by the students into law has been put off. However, the students' demonstrations still caused excesses as recently occurred.

He then demanded the police investigate the alleged violence against protesters, adding that firm sanctions must be imposed should police members be proven to have committed violence.

"If the culprits are security officers, they must be firmly punished as prudent steps must be prioritized in handling public aspirations,” said Bambang.

Bambang claimed to have contacted the National Police Headquarters regarding the matter, but the police denied using live rounds during the demonstrations.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI