Coordinating Minister Yusril Urges Public Restraint Following 27 August Protests
The Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has requested that the public exercise restraint and refrain from making unilateral conclusions regarding the riots that occurred following demonstrations on Jalan Pejompongan Raya, Central Jakarta, on Thursday night (27/8).
He stated that the Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya) are currently investigating the series of post-demonstration events, including a thorough probe into the death of a citizen named Bambang and the assault of a Year 12 student named Faturrocalman.
“Polda Metro Jaya is currently conducting an investigation. No conclusions can yet be drawn regarding the perpetrators or the responsible parties. An in-depth investigation is underway to determine who ordered, instigated, and carried out the assaults. For those proven responsible, firm law enforcement measures will certainly be taken,” Yusril stated in a release, as quoted on Monday (31/8).
He explained that the incidents, which led to the death of Bambang and the assault of Faturrohman, occurred after protesters had left the DPR Building area and during clashes between groups of citizens in the Pejompongan area. Consequently, Yusril requested that these events not be used as justification for retaliatory actions or further violence.
“We must not allow these events under investigation to trigger further riots or violence. We leave the process to the law enforcement agencies and let us together maintain public peace and order,” Yusril concluded.
Polda Metro Jaya has urged protesters in Jakarta to maintain public order and public facilities, and to use social media wisely to ensure a conducive situation.
The Jakarta Transport Agency (Dishub DKI Jakarta) has deployed 120 officers and four tow truck units around the DPR Building area to anticipate traffic congestion during the protests.
Intelligence observer Boni Hargens noted that the National Police, TNI, and BIN are prepared to secure large-scale demonstrations through collaborative strategies and anticipation of unexpected events.
Hundreds of members from the AMPB Pati group proceeded to Jakarta despite facing threats of terror against their bus operators, the freezing of bank accounts, and stone-throwing incidents on the toll road.