President Jokowi Calls for Immediate Release of Detained Protesters

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has instructed the police to release arrested protesters, emphasizing that Indonesia is a democratic country where the expression of aspirations and opinions is a fundamental right.

“I hope that the demonstrators who are still detained can be released soon,” Jokowi stated in a video statement on Tuesday evening, August 27, 2024. 

While he did not specify the particular mass action cases he was referring to, he expressed his respect for peaceful demonstrations and urged protesters to convey their aspirations in an orderly manner. “So it does not interfere with other activities,” he added.

A large-scale demonstration to defend the Constitutional Court's decision took place in front of the Parliament building area in Jakarta on Thursday, August 22, 2024, with similar protests occurring in other cities across Indonesia. Participants from various segments of society, including academics, workers, students, and school children, joined the protest to safeguard the Constitutional Court's decision. 

The demonstrators opposed the revision of the Regional Election Law, which was hastily discussed by the DPR’s Legislative Board (Baleg). One of the proposed changes in the law could have nullified the Constitutional Court's decision, potentially allowing Kaesang Pangarep, Jokowi's youngest son, to run in regional elections.

During the recent demonstration, 159 students were arrested by the East Jakarta Police for their suspected involvement in the protest to defend the Constitutional Court's decision. East Jakarta Sr. Commissioner Nicolas Ary Lilipaly confirmed that a number of students were being held at various police stations. Tempo has not been able to verify the latest information on the fate of the demonstrators.

Meanwhile, Metro Jaya Police claimed to have released hundreds of demonstrators who were arrested during the protests against the Regional Election Bill or the demonstration to defend the Constitutional Court's decision. A total of 112 out of 301 arrested individuals were released from Metro Jaya Police's jurisdiction.

Public Attorney for Jakarta Legal Aid (LBH), Fadhil Alfathan, confirmed that the release of the demonstrators was carried out by the Metro Jaya Police on Friday night, August 23, 2024. "According to our data, 39 people have been released," Fadhil told Tempo on Sunday, August 25.

A student who was observing the demonstration in front of the City Hall complex and the Semarang City Legislative Council (DPRD) was arrested by the police on Monday, August 26, 2024. The demonstration was dispersed by the police using tear gas.

Based on preliminary data collected by the legal team, 21 schoolchildren and 6 university students were arrested by the police. “This is still preliminary data as we have not been able to meet with them since they were taken away,” said Tuti Wijaya, the representative of the legal team of the Gerakan Rakyat Menggugat Jateng (Central Java People's Movement).

DANIEL A. FAJRI | ADE RIDWAN | JAMAL ABDUN NASHR

Editor’s Choice: Police: 32 Students Protesting in Semarang Still Under Investigation

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