Burned Flag Case, PDIP Affirms Symbols To Be Respected

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JAKARTA - Member of the House of Representatives from the PDI-P faction Nabil Haroen said the burning of the party's flag which is a symbol and identity as a harassment of democracy for the values fought for.

"The party flag is a symbol and identity of the values fought for. So, we need to respect it together," said Gus Nabil in a written statement quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 8.

As for Friday (4/8), a group of activists staged a demonstration to defend Rocky Gerung who allegedly insulted President Jokowi. In their action, they burned the PDIP flag during a demonstration on Jalan Cikini Raya, Menteng, Central Jakarta.

Nabil appealed to the burning of the party's flag bearing the white-nosed bull not to pit each other against political forces ahead of the 2024 election. For this reason, Gus Nabil hopes that the political process must be maintained in a regular temperature with the right tension.

"Everyone can voice their aspirations with ideas, but do not insult and harass the party's symbol," he said.

According to him, the actions carried out by a group of activists were inappropriate and there needed to be lessons in order to improve his political behavior and attitudes in the future. For this reason, legal efforts are being processed so that everything goes according to the corridor.

"Once again, it is not related to the HMI organization or its inherent background, but that as an individual it must have legal consequences, in order to learn properly," he concluded.

Previously, on Monday (7/8), the People's Legal Aid and Advocacy Agency (BBHAR) of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) reported the burning of the party's flag that occurred on Jalan Cikini Raya, Central Jakarta, on Friday (4/8) to Polda Metro Jaya.

"We have burned the PDIP flag on Jalan Cikini Raya. That is the background for us to make a report to the Polda Metro Jaya," said Member of BBHAR PDIP Triwiyono Susilo when met at Polda Metro Jaya, Monday.

Triwiyono also mentioned that the other reason for the report was that the burning of the political party's flag could cause chaos.

The report has been registered with the number LP/B/4597/VIII/2023/SPKT POLDA METRO JAYA on Monday 7 August 2023. However, Triwiyono did not explain the alleged article against the perpetrators of the party's flag burning.