Metro Jaya Police Chief Orders Personnel to Secure Protesters Carrying Dangerous Items

Metro Jaya Police Chief Komjen Pol. Asep Edi Suheri has ordered all his personnel to move quickly to secure any protesters found carrying dangerous items. This is to prevent potential chaos during demonstrations held by various student and community groups in Jakarta on Monday. The firm directive was conveyed by the Chief through the Metro Jaya Police’s Director of Vital Object Security (Dir Pamobvit), Kombes Pol. Joko Sulistio, while leading a troop deployment assembly for securing the protests in Jakarta. “For criminal investigation unit (Reskrim) personnel, if you find participants carrying dangerous items, secure them from the outset and document it,” Joko said while reading out the Metro Jaya Police Chief’s directive. Joko stated that the Chief also reminded Criminal Investigation Unit (Reskrim) personnel on duty to always maintain solidarity and not take individual actions. “Do not move individually, but in groups, and do not become detached from the team bond,” he said. In his briefing, the Chief stressed that the entire security operation must proceed safely and orderly without causing riots or damage to public facilities. “Control yourselves and carry out duties humanely, patiently, and proportionately, and make law enforcement the last resort or ultimum remedium,” Joko said, conveying the Chief’s message. For the Samapta Bhayangkara (Sabhara) troops, the Chief instructed all personnel to obey the leadership’s command, maintain line discipline, and not be easily provoked by dynamics on the ground. Specifically for security around the DPR/MPR RI Building, police officers are asked to set up barriers and manage the movement of the masses to prevent them from spilling over or heading towards national vital objects located near the site. The Metro Jaya Police Chief reiterated a strict ban on the use of firearms during the escort of the protest. Rigorous checks on personnel equipment are also carried out with direct supervision from the Profession and Security Division (Propam). “No one is to use firearms. I repeat, no use of firearms,” he said. All tactical actions on the ground must operate under a single command. The use of special commands such as firing tear gas or the movement of Riot Control (PHH) troops can only be carried out upon direct orders from the Metro Jaya Police Chief. Concluding his briefing, the Chief asked all personnel on duty to prioritise collective safety, including the surrounding community, protesters, and the police officers themselves. “Remember, we are one command, one goal, for public security and order,” he said.