Jakarta – Polres Metro Jakarta Pusat officers forcibly dispersed the workers’ demonstration ahead of the announcement regarding the provincial minimum wage (UMP) in front of DKI Jakarta City Hall, Tuesday, (21/11). The authorities were forced to disperse because the workers demonstrating had violated the law by destroying the fence.
“Yes, we disbanded because the escalation had escalated at around 14.00 WIB. At 15.00 WIB the crowd started destroying the fence at City Hall. The fence was removed and taken to the middle of the road,” said Kapolres Metro Jakarta Pusat, Kombes Pol Susatyo Purnomo Condro to journalists at DKI Jakarta City Hall, Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta.
“Of course, we do not expect this action to proceed in a disorderly manner. So in the name of the law, we need to forcibly disband this action because it is not in accordance with the provisions. They have started to cause damage,” he continued.
He said, that the law in question was Law Number 9 of 1998 concerning Freedom to Express Opinions in Public. And the police, he continued, would not prohibit the mass of workers. Kapolres Susatyo emphasized that the police would not prohibit the mass of workers from demonstrating if it was done in an orderly and peaceful manner.
“We actually facilitate it. We provide space and services to people who will express their aspirations, to anyone, in any office,” he explained.
Furthermore, Kapolres Susatyo also expressed his appreciation to the mass of workers who were willing to disperse in an orderly manner after communicating with the police. The reason is, the police will not forcefully disperse it if there is no damage.
“On a note, if it is conveyed, especially in a destructive way, the fence was already damaged, it was brought to the center, we will have to forcefully disband this action,” he stressed.
Previously, as is known, the mass of workers refused to disperse after damaging the fence at DKI Jakarta City Hall.
The police finally built barricades to disperse the protesters. From the top of the car, Kapolres Susatyo Purnomo Condro also called on the protesters to disperse.
But the mass of workers protested and chose to remain and sit on the asphalt. Until finally the crowd who remained were picked up by the police and moved to another location. Bembo
