Police to prioritise a humane approach in handling protests
Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian National Police (Polri) said they would prioritise a humane approach in securing demonstrations scheduled to take place at several locations in Jakarta on Wednesday.
“We will continue to prioritise a humane approach and take preventive and pre-emptive policing measures,” National Police Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto said at police headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Suyudi stressed that the police respected all forms of public expression. He also urged all parties to refrain from violence during demonstrations.
The Student Executive Board of the University of Indonesia (BEM UI) and various community groups were due to stage demonstrations that day. The BEM UI protest was scheduled to take place near the HI Roundabout in Central Jakarta at around 2pm local time.
Separately, National Police Public Relations Division Chief Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir said Polri was committed to serving the public by prioritising communication, a humane approach and collaboration with various community groups.
“Polri respects every citizen’s right to express opinions in public. As stipulated in Law No. 9 of 1998, freedom of expression is a right that must be respected and protected,” he said.
He explained that efforts to maintain public order and security would proceed through pre-emptive and preventive measures, followed by law enforcement as required by circumstances on the ground.
At the pre-emptive stage, Polri conducts early detection and warning, and communicates with various community groups to anticipate potential security disturbances in both physical and digital spaces.
Public education and communication are also being strengthened to encourage people to express their aspirations responsibly and counter false information that could cause public concern.
At the preventive stage, police officers’ presence on the ground is intended to provide services and protection to demonstrators and the general public.
Traffic management, patrols, security posts and communication with protest coordinators are among the measures intended to maintain a peaceful situation without undermining the public’s ability to go about its daily activities.