Pemuda Pancasila's Protest Turns Chaos; Police: No Organization Above Law

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The police lamented that today’s protest staged by mass organization Pemuda Pancasila before the Parliament Building turned into chaos. The Jakarta Metro Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Endra Zulpan said the anarchist actions committed by the organization would be thoroughly investigated.

“In today’s demonstration, it’s as if they put themselves above the law, even against the law enforcement officers who are not their opponents,” said Zulpan at the Police HQ on Thursday evening, November 25.

He said the police officers were in charge of securing the demonstration. “No mass organization can stand above the law. This needs to be noted,” Zulpan asserted.

During the rally, the Jakarta Police’s Head of Traffic Unit Adj. Sr. Comr. Dermawan Karosekali was beaten by a number of Pemuda Pancasila members when controlling the congested traffic on Jalan Gatot Subroto.

As a result, Dermawan was rushed to Kramat Jati Police Hospital in East Jakarta as he suffered injuries in the back of his head.

The police have thus far arrested 21 members of Pemuda Pancasila who were suspected of committing criminal acts during the rally. Fifteen of them have been named suspects for carrying sharp weapons.

Jakarta Metro Police’s Director of General Criminal Investigation Unit Sr. Comr. Tubagus Ade Hidayat said the six other people were still being examined. One member was also still being questioned for alleged involvement in the attack against Dermawan Karosekali.

Read: Workers Stage Rally in Front of Anies Baswedan's Office

ADAM PRIREZA