Observer: Security forces have mature strategy to face large demonstration

Political and intelligence observer Boni Hargens believes the national security forces have adequate readiness and a mature collaborative strategy with various security scenarios to face large demonstrations.

He said rumours surrounding the potential for chaos in today’s action are part of the narrative dynamics in the contemporary public sphere, which should not automatically be interpreted as a real threat, but still require a proportional and measured response from all parties.

“The National Police together with the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the State Intelligence Agency certainly already have an effective collaborative strategy to maintain safe conditions in any chaotic situation that may occur,” Boni said in a statement received in Jakarta on Thursday.

Nevertheless, he stressed that vigilance must not slacken even if the situation appears under control.

According to him, unpredictable events with major impacts always have the potential to occur.

He noted that security logic must always take that possibility into account, even when the situation appears completely normal and under control.

For that reason, he said success in maintaining security must not make the security forces complacent. Worst-case scenario planning and adaptive responses are considered key in facing every large-scale demonstration moment.

Thus, he invited all parties, including the public, the media and policy makers, to respond proportionally to the issue of potential chaos that may accompany the demonstration on Thursday, namely neither underestimating the threat nor aggravating the atmosphere with unfounded panic.

“Of course we do not expect bad things to happen, but security logic must always see the possibility of a black swan emerging in every threat opportunity,” said the former member of the Supervisory Board of LKBN ANTARA.

The Jakarta Metropolitan Regional Police have prepared personnel at various points in Jakarta to escort the protest scheduled to take place on Thursday.

The police are coordinating with the Indonesian National Armed Forces, the Jakarta Provincial Government, and internal security officers at various points, including the House of Representatives and agencies in the area around the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout towards the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.

The personnel assigned are not only to escort the protest, but also for other security needs, so their number will be greater than the demonstrators.

However, the Head of Public Relations of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto, has not yet detailed the number of personnel to be deployed.

Meanwhile, the masses who will take part in the action in front of the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Thursday have begun preparing various demand attributes at the location.

A number of demonstrators were seen writing demands and action messages on cloth.

Flags and attributes visible included those belonging to the Pati United Community Alliance, the United Indonesian People’s Alliance, as well as attributes reading “No Viral No Justice”.

Around the location, a number of online motorcycle taxi drivers were also seen gathering and providing support to the demonstrators. Several online motorcycle taxi drivers helped unload aid goods from arriving vehicles.