Police Deny Ananda Badudu's Remarks on Students' Detention

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Metro Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono rebuffed the statement conveyed by former Tempo journalist Ananda Badudu regarding the detainment of students at the police headquarters sans legal assistance. 

Argo said that all students had been returned to their homes, and there were advocates accompanying them during questioning.

“In principle, we provide legal advisors during the examinations and offered legal assistance,” said Argo at the Jakarta Metro Police HQ, South Jakarta, Friday, September 27.

Argo stressed that his staffers had released all students, except for those who were still being questioned. He added the remaining students were accompanied by legal assistance at the police mobile detectives (Resmob) unit.

However, he stopped short of detailing the number of students who have been returned, reasoning that the data registration was still in progress.

“So what we need to say is, do not make any statement that besmirches others because it may lead to a new crime,” Argo remarked.

As reported earlier, Badudu said that he saw students at the Resmob building under police questioning without legal assistance when he was questioned as a witness about his fundraising project to support the logistics of students’ protests at the DPR.

“They are processed unethically. They need more help than I do,” said Ananda Badudu.

Until Thursday, September 26, 38 students were still detained at the Jakarta Metro Police HQ. However, Argo insisted that all of them had been discharged on Thursday night after receiving police guidance.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH