Not Allowing Labor Demonstrations, Police: Jakarta Still PSBB

JAKARTA - The police have not issued a permit for a demonstration against the Omnibus Law or the Work Creation Bill (RUU). The police cited the reason for preventing the spread of COVID-19.

"We did not give permission for the crowds to the demonstrators because of the COVID-19 situation," said Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Yusri Yunus to reporters, Monday, October 5.

Moreover, the data from the Task Force for the spread of COVID-19 in DKI Jakarta is already very massive. In addition, there is a policy from the DKI Provincial Government (Pemprov) regarding Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB).

"With the condition of the Jakarta PSBB, so permission is not given to express opinions in public, especially in front of the DPR today," he said.

Referring to law number 9 of 1998 on expressing opinions in public, the demonstration is not a violation but the police will still prevent it. Because, it aims to anticipate the occurrence of a new cluster of the spread of COVID-19.

"Now we urge, we hope that they understand that the COVID-19 pandemic is getting higher in Jakarta. Don't become a new cluster," he said.

Previously it was reported that in anticipating demonstrations, the police would prevent the masses from their starting point of departure.

"In each region we have also conveyed that in the regions that are about to depart, we will disperse them so that they do not come here," said Yusri.

However, in the process of dismissing the police, they will still prioritize a humane way. One of them is by appealing to the masses who will participate in demonstrations.

"We appealed to a humanist persuasive manner to return them to all of them so that there is no need for demonstrations. That's an appeal," he said.

The demonstration against the Omnibus Law or the Work Creation Bill (RUU) will be attended by workers from the Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi (Jabodetabek) areas massively.

However, the time for the demo is not yet known. The police are still on standby to anticipate these demonstrations.