Anti-Jokowi Protests Turn Chaotic in Semarang and Makassar; Komnas HAM Urges Police to Evaluate Demonstration Treatment

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has called on the Central Java and South Sulawesi police to immediately evaluate how they handled protests and demonstrations in Semarang and Makassar, following reports of repressive force by officers during Monday night's protests.

"We have received reports that authorities used tear gas, made arrests, and even allegedly conducted searches all the way inside a mall," Komnas HAM chairwoman Atnike Nova Sigiro said in a written statement received by Tempo on Tuesday, August 27.

Atnike stressed that the use of excessive force in dealing with demonstrations risks violating human rights, particularly the rights to freedom of assembly and expression guaranteed by the Constitution and the Human Rights Law.

Komnas HAM urged security personnel to refrain from using force and to prioritize a more humane and measured approach to maintaining order. Komnas HAM also urged law enforcement officials to guarantee the right of arrested protesters to access legal counsel. Denying such access is considered a violation of the right to justice.

"We also encourage all parties to exercise their fundamental rights responsibly and to maintain a conducive security situation in order to preserve the country's democratic space," she said.

Public dissatisfaction, particularly among students, with a number of government policies sparked the recent wave of demonstrations in Semarang and Makassar.

In Semarang, anti-Jokowi protests in front of the city hall complex and the Semarang City People's Representative Council (DPRD) were forcibly dispersed by police on Monday, August 26. Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. There were also reports that a number of demonstrators, including students, were arrested for alleged provocation.

On the same day, a similar situation occurred in Makassar. A joint demonstration by students from all across Makassar against Joko Widodo's dynastic politics under the Jalan AP Pettarani flyover ended in chaos.

The use of tear gas and arrests of protesters in Semarang and Makassar have been criticized by various parties. There are allegations that the authorities conducted searches in public areas such as shopping malls, causing fear among the general public.

These repressive measures have been strongly criticized by civil society organizations and academics. They believe that the authorities' heavy-handed approach not only violates human rights, but also aggravates the situation and threatens democracy.

The authorities' heavy-handed response to the demonstrations has raised concerns that the space for the expression of aspirations in Indonesia is diminishing, especially in light of recent rising political tensions.

INTAN SETIAWANTY

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