Police on Protest Ban at Hotel Indonesia Roundabout: There Are National Vital Objects

Polda Metro Jaya has stated that there are a number of national vital objects around the Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI) area in Central Jakarta, which is why it has banned demonstrations in the area.

Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Commissioner Budi Hermanto, said the police always adhere to Law Number 9 of 1998 on the Freedom to Express Opinions in Public.

“There are several places in Article 9 where demonstrations are not allowed, such as the State Palace, military installations, national vital objects, railway stations and terminals,” Budi said at Polda Metro Jaya on Monday (24/8).

Budi said that in the Bundaran HI area there are a number of locations that are part of national vital objects. On that basis, demonstrations are not permitted to be held at the location.

“If we realise that there is the MRT, the KRL and the LRT in several areas around Bundaran HI, including three embassies there — China, Japan and Germany — these are also vital objects that must be protected. That is why we do not allocate the Bundaran HI area, because there are several things we must safeguard,” he said.

Furthermore, Budi also said that every demonstration must continue to respect and honour the activities of other members of the public.

“In expressing aspirations, there are legal provisions in Article 6 and Article 9 that we must pay attention to. We must also consider that in carrying out activities to express aspirations, there are other public activities that we must protect. For example, traffic order, economic activity, educational activity and the worship activities of other communities must also be safeguarded,” he said.