Police Claim No Firearm Carried by Personnel during Student Rally

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The national police headquarters claimed that none of its members brought along firearms in guarding the student rally, including in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi. University students across Indonesia conducted demonstrations, protesting the ratification of amended KPK Law and several problematic bills.

"We've clearly instructed the audited general plan of the security to all police chiefs. Everything was conducted based on the instruction," said the chief of police's public information bureau Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo when contacted on Saturday, September 28.

The instruction stated that all the members should not be equipped with guns, said Dedi. He also claimed all of the personnel was checked before and after conducting their tasks.

As previously reported, two students of Haluoleo University; Randi and Yusuf, died of gunshot wounds when staging the protest in front of Southeast Sulawesi parliament (DPRD) office. 

Both of the students were allegedly hit by live rounds during the demonstration. Based on the autopsy, Randi was shot in his right chest, while Yusuf was shot in the head.

Due to the incident, National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian removed Brig. Gen. Iriyanto as Southeast Sulawesi Police Chief. The position will be replaced by Brig. Gen. Merdisyam.

Andita Rahma