Parties told to abide by rules over rallies
Parties told to abide by rules over rallies
JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja
Suparman reiterated yesterday that any parties intending to hold
mass rallies or demonstrations should abide by the existing
regulations.
"If you want to express your opinions (through rallies or
demonstrations), you have to introduce your scheme first to
ensure that everything proceeds smoothly and according to the
rules," he said.
Djadja made the statement in response to the controversial
police ban of a rally planned to mark the second anniversary of a
bloody incident which occurred on July 27, 1996.
At least five people died and many more went missing after
supporters loyal to Megawati Soekarnoputri were evicted from the
Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) Headquarters in Central Jakarta
by supporters of a government-backed faction in the party two
years ago on Monday.
"The ban had nothing to do with what the commemoration stood
for, but because of the danger of a mass mobilization of people,"
he said, refusing to elaborate.
A government regulation in lieu of a law on "freedom of
expression" was signed by President B.J. Habibie last Friday.
Minister of Justice Muladi, who announced the move, said the
new regulations, which were submitted by the Ministry of Defense
and Security and the Ministry of Home Affairs, were not meant to
silence government critics or to restrict human rights, but to
prevent uncontrollable situations from arising and to enforce the
law.
According to the four chapter, 17 article document elucidating
the new rules, a police permit is required for street
demonstrations involving more than 50 people.
Chapter 11 states the police must give an official answer to
any request for a permit. A demonstration can be held three days
after a permit has been issued.
The police must also be informed at least 24 hours in advance
if demonstrations are canceled, apparently to prevent the
unnecessary deployment of security officers.
Street protest are no longer allowed on public holidays, at
night and in certain areas, including those close to the
presidential palace, places of worship, military installations,
hospitals, harbors and airports, and railway stations.
Djadja also said that troops currently deployed to safeguard
the capital would only be withdrawn once the situation here was
considered safe.
"All of us should be proactively involved in maintaining
security so our economy can return to normal," he said. (ivy)