TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The police dispersed Greenpeace Indonesia’s oligarchy monster action at the HI Roundabout in Central Jakarta today, October 6. The environmental NGO installed a giant octopus-shaped monster holding three mannequins wearing masks depicting three presidential contenders, namely Anies Baswedan, Ganjar Pranowo, and Prabowo Subianto.

Upon arrival at around 6:30 a.m., the police escorted the activists to police cars. Greenpeace Indonesia’s media campaigner Rahma Sofiana confirmed they were taken to the Menteng Police post. “Menteng,” she told Tempo today.

At the Menteng Police station, a policeman who declined to be named said the action was dispersed for lack of a permit. “No permit for that,” he said.

During the action, 12 Greenpeace activists jumped into the pool at the HI Roundabout carrying posters that read "Vote for Climate, Not Oligarchy" and "Suffocated by Air Pollution, Choked by Forest and Forestry Smog".

Iqbal Damanik, Greenpeace Indonesia's forest campaigner, said the campaign aimed to encourage presidential and vice-presidential candidates to make a serious commitment to stand with the people and break away from the oligarchy's agenda.

According to him, the people have suffered from the negative effects of the strengthening political and economic power of the oligarchs in the archipelago, such as threats to democracy and the environment, as well as the confiscation of living space. “Please show this commitment in the vision and mission document submitted to the KPU,” Iqbal asserted.

Greenpeace first staged the Oligarchy Monster peaceful action on October 5, 2021, as a symbol of refusing to forget the passage of the Job Creation Law. In addition to Jakarta, a series of anti-Oligarchy actions were also held in several regions this week, including Sorong on October 5 and Jayapura today, October 6.

HAN REVANDA PUTRA

Editor's Choice: Greenpeace Deems Revised IKN Law Protects Investment, Not Biodiversity

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News