Police - TNI Hold Patrols to Block Workers from Protesting before DPR

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) conducted patrols over meeting points of people planning to depart to Jakarta to protest against the omnibus bill on Job Creation that has been passed on Monday, October 5, 2020.

Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Yusri Yunus said the police and the TNI would disperse workers willing to stage a rally in front of the House of Representatives (DPR) building in Senayan, Central Jakarta.

“We will hold patrols. If we see them gathering, we will order them to return home,” said Yusri on Tuesday, October 6.

Police reminded the protesters that Jakarta was enforcing the Large-Scale Social Restriction (PSBB) and so it banned mass gatherings. Besides, Jakarta Police would not issue the permit for demonstration during the COVID-19 pandemic, Yusri added.

Workers were also warned that crowds potentially cause a new COVID-19 infection cluster. “Let’s not make this rally to become a new cluster,” he underlined.

The prohibition to conduct demonstrations by Jakarta Police was a follow-up of the classified telegram (TR) letter by the National Police Chief, General Idham Azis. In the letter No. STR/645/X/PAM.3.2./2020 dated October 2, 2020, Idham banned rally in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Worker Union Confederation (KSPI) president Said Iqbal confirmed many labor unions would still hold a strike from Tuesday to Thursday, October 6-8, 2020, to protest against the newly-passed Omnibus Law on Job Creation.

Read also: Labor Rally Against Omnibus Law; Police Close Roads to DPR Building

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH