The riot in Medan

The riot in Medan

The recent workers' riot to demand an increase in the minimum
wage in Medan, North Sumatra, has left one person dead, dozens of
others injured and over 100 shops and scores of motorized
vehicles damaged.

In evaluating the situation, the Bukit Barisan Military
Commander, Maj. Gen. A. Pranowo, said the riot grew out of a
improperly motivated demonstration. In justification of the
military's action in quelling the riot, he pointed out that a
third party had taken advantage of the labor movement to further
its own interests. He said it was necessary for the military to
step in due to its responsibility to maintain order, adding that
the labor movement's actions upset stability and security by
bringing up matters related to SARA (racial, tribal, religious
and societal issues).

We hail the military commander's evaluation of the situation
because we should be wise enough to learn from our past
experiences. The past has shown us all to well that brutal and
irresponsible demonstrations will only result in great losses to
the public.

If brutality and criminality develop, democracy will fade out.
Therefore the rules of the game must always be upheld in every
activity we undertake as citizens of this nation.

-Suara Karya, Jakarta