Metro Jaya Police Confirm No Involvement of Mass Organisations in Securing 27 August Protests
The Metro Jaya Regional Police have stated that they only requested assistance from Kodam Jaya, the Jakarta Provincial Government, and the DPR security unit during the security operations for the demonstrations on 27 August.
Metro Jaya Police Head of Public Relations, Kombes Budi Hermanto, stated that the force did not coordinate with any mass organisations (ormas) for the security measures. “I would like to convey that Metro Jaya Police submitted requests for assistance to the TNI via Kodam Jaya, to the Jakarta Provincial Government through the Health Office, Transport Agency, and Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), as well as requesting security for the DPR Parliament building,” Budi told reporters at the Metro Jaya Police Headquarters on Wednesday (2/9).
Budi also explained the role of mass organisations as regulated under Law Number 16 of 2017 concerning Mass Organisations. The regulation stipulates that the role of these organisations in maintaining public order and security must not exceed the authority of the police.
“There are provisions explaining that while there is a role for participation in maintaining public order and security, it must not exceed police authority,” he said. “The limitations and prohibitions for mass organisations are regulated in Article 59 of Law Number 16 of 2017, which includes administrative and criminal legal sanctions. Therefore, these provisions are already established within Law 16 of 2017,” he added.
Previously, the Gerakan Rakyat Indonesia Bersatu (GRIB) Jaya spoke out regarding their leader, Hercules, being present amidst the chaos on the night of 27 August during protests near the DPR Building and surrounding areas.
The Legal Division of GRIB Jaya, Wilson Colling, confirmed Hercules’ presence at the location but urged the public to understand the security context of that night. “The presence of Mr Hercules with a group of citizens at the location on the night following the event must be viewed within the context of the security situation and environmental conditions at that time,” Wilson stated via a press release on Saturday (29/8) night.
Wilson mentioned that Hercules’ presence in the field was part of a persuasive effort to monitor the situation and maintain environmental stability, rather than to exacerbate the situation, provoke, or engage in physical clashes. He stated that, organisationally, there were never any instructions to join the demonstrations or engage in any activities related to the protest.
“The General Chairman’s instructions were delivered clearly and firmly and have been published through the organisation’s internal media,” Wilson explained. “Therefore, the presence of certain individuals at a location cannot immediately be interpreted as a representation of the organisation’s actions, especially without evidence of orders, coordination, or involvement in any criminal act,” he continued.