TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Police deployed 2,500 Mobile Brigade personnel to secure mass demonstrations on the Job Creation Law in Jakarta and its surrounding regions today, October 8, 2020.

“Brimob personnel arrived yesterday to back up Jakarta Metro Police,” said the National Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Awi Setiyono on Thursday, October 8.

As many as 200 additional personnel were also mobilized to stand guard the rally in West Java Province.

The police further reminded protesters about criminal threats for violating the health protocol against COVID-19. Awi hoped the mass would obey the security personnel’s appeal.

“There are sanctions for violating the health protocol as noted in Article 93 of Law No. 6/2018 on health quarantine and Article 212, 216, and 218 of the Criminal Code. Of course, we hope workers [joining the rally] to maintain the order and obey the police’s appeal,” said Awi.

The House of Representatives (DPR) passed the contentious omnibus bill on Job Creation into law at the plenary meeting on Monday, October 5, 2020, despite objections from Democrats Party and PKS. There were seven factions, namely PDIP, Gerindra, NasDem, PAN, PKB, PPP, and Golkar, agreed on the law.

As a result, various elements from labor unions and civil organizations in several regions took to the streets to stage protests to the government before the parliament building beginning Tuesday to Thursday this week.

Read also: DPR Website Hacked Amid Protests Against Job Creation Law

ANDITA RAHMA