Police Deploy 2,590 Personnel to Secure Rally before Parliament Building

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Central Jakarta Police have decided to mobilize a total of 2,590 joint personnel to ensure the safety and security of a demonstration called 'Aksi Rakyat Geruduk DPR RI', which will be held by various communities in front of the Parliament building today, March 1, 2024.

Central Jakarta Police Chief Sr. Comr. Susatyo Purnomo Condro said the joint personnel would consist of Metro Jaya Police, Central Jakarta Resort Police, the Indonesian Military (TNI), the Jakarta regional government, and other related agencies.

“The personnel will be stationed at various points around the Parliament building. We have anticipated today's demonstration by preparing personnel to provide security and prevent crowds from entering the Parliament area,” Susatyo said in Jakarta, on Friday.

Several elements of society including university students and workers planned to stage a rally to voice concerns over the 2024 elections.

Recently, a call for a demonstration before the Parliament Building was abuzz on social media, highlighting the soaring prices of basic foods, support for the House inquiry into election fraud, and calls for the impeachment of President Joko Widodo or Jokowi.

Susatyo said that the traffic closure or diversion around the protest area would depend on the situation. “We will assess the number of masses. If there are many protesters in front of the Parliament building and the crowd escalates, we will divert the traffic,” he explained.

He also asked all personnel to always act persuasively, not to be provoked, to prioritize negotiation and service, and to adopt a humanistic approach. “We urge all parties to maintain security and order so that future demonstration activities can be safe and orderly,” Susatyo hoped.

ANTARA