4,151 Joint Personnel Deployed to Secure Student Demonstration Today
Polda Metro Jaya has deployed 4,151 joint personnel to secure a demonstration held by a number of students in Central Jakarta on Friday (12/6).
Head of Public Relations for Polda Metro Jaya, Commissioner Budi Hermanto, stated that the police respect the public’s right to express their opinions in public. He said the security measures are in place to ensure the activity proceeds safely, orderly, and without disrupting other citizens’ activities.
“Polda Metro Jaya respects the right of citizens to express their opinions in public. The presence of personnel in the field is to provide service and security so that the activity proceeds safely, orderly, and does not disturb other members of the public,” Budi said in a statement on Friday.
Budi conveyed that his party has also prepared anticipatory measures for various dynamics on the ground. These range from traffic congestion, vehicle convoys, situational road closures, disruption to public facilities, to potential criminal acts.
Regarding traffic management, Budi said it will be implemented situationally around the protest location. He stated that traffic flow engineering will be applied according to conditions on the ground.
“We have prepared traffic management situationally. If there is congestion or a need to divert traffic around the protest location, officers will carry out traffic engineering while prioritising the safety of the protesters and road users,” he said.
Furthermore, Budi appealed to the protesters to convey their aspirations in an orderly manner. He also asked the masses not to carry dangerous objects, not to commit vandalism, and to respect other road users and the community around the protest location.
“We urge the protesters to remain orderly, not to carry dangerous objects, not to commit vandalism, and to work together to maintain a conducive situation,” he stated.
A number of Student Executive Bodies (BEM) from various universities in the Greater Jakarta area plan to take to the streets to stage a demonstration on Friday. The Chairperson of BEM UI, Yatalathof Ma’shum Imawan, confirmed that all faculty BEMs from his campus will participate in the action. Meanwhile, several other BEMs that will join include those from IPB, Pancasila, and Gunadharma University.
There are five demands brought to the action today. First, demanding the government stop wasting the state budget. Second, lower the prices of staple goods and fuel. Third, halt the MBG programme and the construction of the Koperasi Desa Merah Putih. Fourth, stop civilian militarisation, and fifth, demand President Prabowo Subianto stop evading responsibility and acknowledge the government’s mistakes.