Police Seek Mastermind Demonstration Of Work Creation Law In Malang City

JAKARTA - Malang City Police (Polresta) is conducting an investigation and investigating the mastermind behind the rioting in the city.

Kapolresta Malang City Kombes Leonardus Simarmata said there were 129 people who were arrested in the demonstration which was marred by chaos and caused various damage around the Malang City Monument area.

"We will do a deepening up to 1 x 24 hours, to determine the status of what is secured. If it meets the elements, we will process the legal process," said Leonardus, in Malang City, East Java, as reported by Antara, Friday, October 9.

Leonardus, who is often called Leo, added that if later there is no linkage in the demonstration which was marked by chaos, the police will repatriate the participants who have been arrested.

Of the 129 people arrested, 59 were students, 29 were high school and vocational high school students, two junior high school students, one laborer, five construction workers, one security person, and 15 unemployed.

Currently, Leo continued, for the action participants with the status of children being examined, they were also accompanied by their respective parents. Apart from that, the police also provide assistance to these children.

"Later, if we don't see any connection with yesterday's incident, I will make a report on the return, return," Leo said.

Leo added that the people who were arrested had undergone rapid COVID-19 tests. Of the 129 people, 20 were declared reactive after taking the COVID-19 rapid test.

"We will carry out the whole rapid test, to 129 people. As many as 20 people are reactive, and we will continue with the swab test," said Leo.

Based on the records of the Malang City Police, as a result of the incident there were dozens of police officers who were injured and had received treatment. In addition, there were several damage to official vehicles, including public facilities in Malang City.

Some of the damaged vehicles belonged to the Malang City Civil Service Police Unit, Malang City Government official vehicles, Polri official vehicles such as Polres Batu buses, and trucks belonging to the Blitar Police.

On Thursday (8/10), thousands of workers and students gathered in front of the DPRD Building and Malang City Hall to hold a demonstration against the Job Creation Bill. Initially, the demonstration went well.

Thousands of people began arriving in front of the Malang City DPRD Building, at approximately 10:00 WIB. When the masses had gathered enough, there were several actions that triggered riots.

Protesters threw stones at the Malang City DPRD Building, then lit fires and firecrackers. Police officers then deployed a water cannon, and fired tear gas.