Police Chief Asks People Not to Mobilize Mass

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - National Police chief general Tito Karnavian appealed to parties objected to the process of the 2019 general elections to follow constitutional mechanism; the prevailing law, instead of mobilizing masses.

Tito said people could report to the Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) if an election participant violated the regulation. “File a report to Bawaslu based on the existing stage,” said Tito in the office of Coordinating Ministry for Politics, Legal, and Security Affairs, Jakarta, Thursday, April 18.

If the violator is the election committee, he added, report it to the Election Organization Ethics Council (DKPP). As for an alleged systematic and massive violation, the mechanism is available in Constitutional Court.

He further warned if there is an act against legal corridor, let alone the institutional effort that hindered the stability of public security, the police and armed forces (TNI) have agreed to take firm actions.

The chief recalled that the winning celebration held by the two presidential candidate camps in Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout, Jakarta, on Wednesday was dissolved by the police. “I have ordered all regional police chiefs to take the same move,” Tito asserted.

He also demanded all election participants wait and respect the real count from the Election Commission (KPU). “In the meantime, do not practice any unconstitutional act, mobilize masses, and others, let alone actions aimed at disturbing the stability of national security and order,” he asserted, adding that the police and TNI could detect potential move in the society.

IRSYAN HASYIM (CONTRIBUTOR)