Polda Metro Deploys 9,242 Personnel, Guarantees Humane Security for Protests
Polda Metro Jaya has deployed 9,242 joint personnel to secure 31 public demonstrations and 16 community events taking place in several areas of DKI Jakarta on Tuesday (18/8).
This anticipatory measure has been prepared to ensure that all public activities proceed safely, orderly, and conducively.
Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Commissioner Budi Hermanto, stated that the thousands of joint personnel have been assigned to spread out across a number of strategic locations.
“The personnel prepared consist of 5,670 from Polda Metro Jaya, 222 from the resort police, 1,500 from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and 1,850 from the National Police Headquarters BKO,” said Budi in Jakarta on Tuesday (18/8).
Security has been deployed at several crucial points in Central Jakarta, East Jakarta, and South Jakarta. This security scheme has also been designed to oversee a series of community activities in celebration of the 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia.
Regarding the escort mechanism on the ground, Budi stressed that all officers have been instructed to comply with strict regulations.
Security personnel are strictly prohibited from carrying firearms, in accordance with the directives of the highest regional police leadership and standard operating procedures (SOP).
“Firearms are not permitted during the provision of services for the expression of opinions in public. We convey this professionally and humanely,” said Budi.
He emphasised that the right to express aspirations in public is fully guaranteed by Law Number 9 of 1998.
However, he reminded all elements of the protest participants to always comply with Article 6 of Law No. 9/1998 by respecting the rights of other citizens who are carrying out their activities.
Regarding the map of protest locations, the police advised community elements not to concentrate their activities in the Bundaran HI, Patung Kuda, Semanggi, or Sudirman areas.
According to him, these areas are the centre of gravity of Jakarta, serving as the hub of the economy, hospitality, and public transport.
As for the traffic diversion scheme around the Bundaran HI, Monas, and Jalan Merdeka Selatan areas, it is confirmed to be situational, adjusting to the dynamics of conditions on the ground.
The public is urged to continue monitoring updates on traffic situation information through social media and official information channels of Polda Metro Jaya.
Previously, the University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI) planned to hold a demonstration on Tuesday (18/8), with a Call to Action to Seize Independence a day after the celebration of the 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia.
The planned demonstration was centred in the Bundaran HI area, Central Jakarta, as announced through a post on the official Instagram account of BEM UI @bemui_official.
It is confirmed that no officers, including the Intelligence Task Force and the Law Enforcement Task Force (Gakkum), are carrying firearms in the field.
The measure to arrange or regulate demonstration locations does not in any way eliminate the rights of citizens to express their opinions in public.