Jakarta, IO – Protesters comprising several elements of civil society, students, labor unions and activists held a demonstration outside the Parliament House today. The rallied to support the Constitutional Court (MK) decision that lower the threshold for regional head nominations.
“In order to secure the protests outside the Parliament and the surrounding area, we have deployed 2,013 joint personnel and two sniffer dogs,” said Central Jakarta police chief Susatyo Purnomo Condro, as per Katadata, Thu (22/8).
The security forces comprise personnel from Jakarta Metropolitan police, Central Jakarta police, the armed forces (TNI), Jakarta provincial administration and relevant agencies. In addition, firefighters have been put on standby to anticipate tyre burning. Traffic will also be diverted on a situational basis.
Read: Jogja the Cinema City: Shaping and Educating the Audience
Susatyo emphasized that the personnel involved are not armed and have been instructed to use persuasive approach. He also ordered the field coordinators and participants of the action to carry out the protest peacefully and orderly and to avoid anarchy.
The protests stemmed from the House of Representatives’ (DPR) rushed attempt to revise the Regional Elections Law (UU Pilkada) following MK ruling. The protesters accused the House of trying to override the court’s decision. (bp)