Police Coordinate to Redirect Mass Demonstration from Bundaran HI to Patung Kuda or DPR
The Head of Public Relations for Polda Metro Jaya, Commissioner Budi Hermanto, stated that his party is coordinating to redirect a mass of students who plan to demonstrate at the Bundaran HI roundabout to the Patung Kuda monument or the DPR/MPR RI complex. He noted that the Bundaran HI area is a centre of economic activity.
“Indeed, we know that the area around Bundaran HI is not a place for conveying aspirations, because there are economic activities and other community activities there. So we both understand and respect each other,” Budi said at the parliament complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday.
Budi explained that, through the Directorate of Intelligence, efforts are underway to coordinate the relocation of the demonstration point from Bundaran HI to Patung Kuda or the DPR. He expressed hope that the students’ aspirations would be conveyed properly.
“And we, from the Directorate of Intelligence, have communicated to redirect the point from Bundaran HI to around Patung Kuda or in front of the DPR/MPR. So that their aspirations are conveyed well and this is also protected by law,” Budi stated.
“Once again, thank you. Let us pray together that this security operation, service, and expression of opinion can proceed safely, orderly, and be under control,” he added.
Budi mentioned that a total of 6,088 joint TNI-Polri personnel will secure the student demonstration today. He stressed that none of the TNI-Polri members on security duty will carry firearms.
“The number of joint TNI-Polri personnel is 6,088. This consists of 500 TNI personnel, 1,000 from the Mobile Brigade Corps, 200 from the Sabhara Corps, 3,802 from Polda Metro Jaya, and 586 from the Central Jakarta Metro Police,” Budi said.
Budi stated there are four security points managed by Polda Metro, namely around the MPR/DPR RI complex, Bundaran HI, Patung Kuda, and Cikini Raya. He assured that the police will guarantee the students’ expression of aspirations proceeds smoothly.
“This activity covers security, firstly in the area around the DPR/MPR RI, secondly around Bundaran HI, thirdly around Patung Kuda, and fourthly around Cikini Raya,” Budi said.
“The expression of aspirations to the public is protected by law. So the presence of Polri and TNI officers in carrying out this service is to ensure that the aspirations conveyed by these students are delivered properly,” he stated.
He said that, in accordance with instructions from the Metro Jaya Police Chief, Inspector General Asep Edi Suheri, no police personnel are carrying firearms during this security operation. He requested that Polri members act humanely and not be provoked.
“Earlier we both heard the directive from the Metro Jaya Police Chief emphasising that officers providing security services for the expression of opinions in public must be patient, humane, and not provoked,” said the Head of Public Relations.
“Including the emphasis from the Police Chief that no TNI-Polri officers are carrying firearms while providing security services for this expression of opinion. We also urge and invite the students to convey their aspirations properly and to mutually respect other road users,” he concluded.