Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Affirms Demonstrations Are Permitted, Anarchic Actions Prohibited

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago has invited the public to stage demonstrations in an orderly and non-anarchic manner.

He said the government has never prohibited the public from expressing their opinions.

“There is no ban on protest actions, none at all. Demonstrating is a form of expressing the people’s opinions. No one has ever prohibited that,” said Djamari at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs in Jakarta on Wednesday (5/8).

“What is prohibited and unwanted are anarchic actions, anarchic acts. For instance, if a protest conveys criticism in an orderly fashion, that is perfectly fine,” he added.

He noted that President Prabowo Subianto has repeatedly said that criticism of the government is necessary. Djamari believes criticism is refreshing for the government.

“Therefore, please go ahead and demonstrate, there is no problem, as long as it does not disrupt the interests of the people and the wider public, as long as it is carried out in an orderly manner, without causing destruction, and certainly without arson as in the past, when government offices were once burnt or set alight,” he said.

On that occasion, Djamari assured that conditions across Indonesia are safe and under control. He urged the public not to be influenced by false information on social media.

“On this occasion, I want us to agree to convey to the public not to be troubled by this matter; we are handling everything,” he said.