Police 'not told of any street rallies'
Police 'not told of any street rallies'
JAKARTA (JP): National Police chief Lt. Gen. Roesmanhadi
said on Thursday that police had not been informed of any street
rallies planned for the days immediately following the Idul Fitri
holiday.
"No, I have not received any reports," he said in a media
conference called to discuss the latest developments in clashes
which erupted in the Maluku provincial capital of Ambon on
Tuesday.
Under Article 11 of the Law on Freedom of Expression, groups
planning to stage demonstrations involving more than 100 people
must inform the police of their intentions.
It has been widely rumored that a number of antigovernment
groups are planning to stage a massive rally on Jan. 27, one day
before the House of Representatives is due to pass three
political bills paving the way for a general election in June.
Factions in the House have been deadlocked over several
critical issues contained in the bills, leading to fears that the
planned election could be delayed. Among contentious issues still
to be resolved by the House are the future political role of
civil servants, the number of unelected seats in the House
allocated to the Armed Forces (ABRI), and the composition of the
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).
Student groups united under the Committee of United Students
(KMB) have vowed to resume rallies after the Idul Fitri holiday
to ensure the government honors its promise to hold a free, fair
and democratic poll in June.
Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman warned on
Tuesday that the security forces would take stern action against
any attempt to disrupt the general election and the subsequent
general session of the People's Consultative Assembly.
Djadja, who was speaking after performing an Idul Fitri prayer
with his subordinates at the command's East Jakarta headquarters
on Tuesday, reiterated that he did not disapprove of differences
in opinion, but said it would not be tolerated if it brought
people into physical conflict.
"If the differences in opinion remain in our thoughts, that's
rightful in a democratic country. But if it leads to clashes we
will uphold the law," he said, adding that the military would
support police efforts to maintain law and order.
He also said the security forces would receive support from
community groups who strongly oppose the use of coercion as a
means to fulfill one's aspiration.
He said the citizens of Greater Jakarta should join hands to
stave off threats to security.
"We need to unite. We are facing tough times in our political,
economic, social and culture life...and the hardest challenges
will stem from issues arising through the current political
developments, which will affect the lives of the entire nation,"
the two-star general said.
"Let's think clearly and count the disadvantages of coercion
because most people long for a peaceful life. If there are
differences in vision or perception, please express them
democratically and within the law," Djadja said. (ivy)
JAKARTA (JP): National Police chief Lt. Gen. Roesmanhadi
said on Thursday that police had not been informed of any street
rallies planned for the days immediately following the Idul Fitri
holiday.
"No, I have not received any reports," he said in a media
conference called to discuss the latest developments in clashes
which erupted in the Maluku provincial capital of Ambon on
Tuesday.
Under Article 11 of the Law on Freedom of Expression, groups
planning to stage demonstrations involving more than 100 people
must inform the police of their intentions.
It has been widely rumored that a number of antigovernment
groups are planning to stage a massive rally on Jan. 27, one day
before the House of Representatives is due to pass three
political bills paving the way for a general election in June.
Factions in the House have been deadlocked over several
critical issues contained in the bills, leading to fears that the
planned election could be delayed. Among contentious issues still
to be resolved by the House are the future political role of
civil servants, the number of unelected seats in the House
allocated to the Armed Forces (ABRI), and the composition of the
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).
Student groups united under the Committee of United Students
(KMB) have vowed to resume rallies after the Idul Fitri holiday
to ensure the government honors its promise to hold a free, fair
and democratic poll in June.
Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman warned on
Tuesday that the security forces would take stern action against
any attempt to disrupt the general election and the subsequent
general session of the People's Consultative Assembly.
Djadja, who was speaking after performing an Idul Fitri prayer
with his subordinates at the command's East Jakarta headquarters
on Tuesday, reiterated that he did not disapprove of differences
in opinion, but said it would not be tolerated if it brought
people into physical conflict.
"If the differences in opinion remain in our thoughts, that's
rightful in a democratic country. But if it leads to clashes we
will uphold the law," he said, adding that the military would
support police efforts to maintain law and order.
He also said the security forces would receive support from
community groups who strongly oppose the use of coercion as a
means to fulfill one's aspiration.
He said the citizens of Greater Jakarta should join hands to
stave off threats to security.
"We need to unite. We are facing tough times in our political,
economic, social and culture life...and the hardest challenges
will stem from issues arising through the current political
developments, which will affect the lives of the entire nation,"
the two-star general said.
"Let's think clearly and count the disadvantages of coercion
because most people long for a peaceful life. If there are
differences in vision or perception, please express them
democratically and within the law," Djadja said. (ivy)