Polda Metro estimates 500 protesters at DPR rally tomorrow
Polda Metro Jaya estimates the number of participants in a public demonstration on Thursday (27/8), particularly those gathered at the DPR/MPR complex in Senayan, Jakarta, will reach around 500 people.
Polda Metro Jaya Head of Public Relations, Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto, said the estimate was based on notification letters received by police from several community groups.
“If we talk about estimates, so far it is still around 500 protesters. We have received notifications from the Pati United Community Alliance and several other alliances,” Budi said when met at the DPR building on Wednesday.
Budi added that the concentration of protesters is expected to be centred around the DPR/MPR complex.
He also anticipated the possibility of student groups joining the protest.
He dismissed wild rumours about arrests of citizens and clarified that the police are actually facilitating the public in officially submitting demonstration notification letters.
“Regarding the situation on the ground, Polda Metro Jaya confirms that so far no protesters have been detained or found carrying dangerous weapons,” he said.
Budi also urged all protesters to comply with the law, as stipulated in Law Number 9 of 1998 on Freedom of Expression in Public.
“The police, the TNI, and the DKI Jakarta provincial government will provide space for people who wish to express their aspirations. We only urge participants not to damage public facilities and not to disrupt the activities of other citizens,” he said.
In addition to securing the demonstration, the deployment of thousands of joint personnel is not only focused on the protest site but also on ensuring smooth traffic flow, public transport facilities such as the MRT, LRT, and Transjakarta, and ensuring that school activities and the local economy continue to run safely and conducively.
The Jakarta Metropolitan Police have prepared personnel at various points across Jakarta to secure the demonstration scheduled for Thursday (27/8).
Police are coordinating with the TNI, the DKI Jakarta provincial government, and internal security officers at various locations, including the DPR and institutions around the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout towards the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.
“We are also preparing security readiness at several points for the expression of public opinion,” said Polda Metro Jaya Head of Public Relations, Police Commissioner Budi Hermanto, when met at the DPR building in Jakarta on Wednesday.