Police Urge Public to Help Maintain Security During 28 October Demonstration
The National Police (Polri) have stressed that the freedom to express opinions in public is a right guaranteed to every citizen by the Constitution and legislation. All parties are expected to respect one another’s rights and work together to maintain security and public order so that people can voice their aspirations safely, peacefully and in an orderly manner.
This is in line with Law No. 9 of 1998 on the Freedom to Express Opinions in Public, which allows the public to express their views freely and responsibly. The law also requires citizens to respect the rights of others, obey the law, and maintain public safety and order.
The National Police’s Head of Public Information, Inspector General Johnny Edison Isir, said freedom of expression was an important part of democratic life that must be respected and protected. At the same time, exercising that right requires a shared responsibility to safeguard the wider public interest.
“Freedom to express opinions in public is a right guaranteed to every citizen by law. The National Police respect that right and are committed to providing services so that people can express their aspirations safely and in an orderly manner. Let us work together to maintain a peaceful atmosphere, respect other people’s rights, and refrain from actions that could disrupt public safety and order,” Isir said.
He explained that police officers’ presence among the public during demonstrations was part of their service to ensure that events proceeded in an orderly manner, while also protecting demonstrators and other members of the public.
The National Police will prioritise a human-centred approach through communication, co-ordination with demonstration organisers, traffic management and preventive measures to anticipate potential security disturbances. The approach will take account of the public’s right to express its views while ensuring that public activities can continue smoothly.
“The police are not there to prevent people from expressing their opinions, but to provide a service and ensure that this right can be exercised properly. We urge demonstrators, officers on the ground and all members of the public to respect one another, maintain communication and work together to create a safe and conducive situation,” he said.
Isir added that maintaining security and public order was not solely the responsibility of the police; it required the participation of all sections of society. Mutual respect, compliance with the law and avoidance of provocative acts were important to preventing misunderstandings and disruptions during the event.
The National Police also urged the public to assess circulating information carefully, verify it before sharing, and avoid being swayed by unverified reports that could cause alarm.
“Security is more readily achieved when the police and the public work together. We urge everyone to prioritise dialogue, maintain order and respect differences of opinion. Aspirations can be expressed firmly without actions that harm others. In a spirit of solidarity, we can keep the situation safe, peaceful and conducive,” Isir concluded.
Through co-operation between the police and the public, the expression of opinions in public is expected to remain part of a healthy democratic life, while upholding the law, human rights, and collective security and order.