Are Demonstrations The Most Capable Means Of Criticizing The Government?

JAKARTA - The mass of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), GNPF Ulama, and the 212 Brotherhood Alumni (PA) held a demonstration entitled 'Eradicating Mega Corruption Save the Republic of Indonesia' near the State Palace, Jakarta.

During the action, which took place on Friday, February 21, at around 13.30 WIB, the masses will deliver an oration regarding the incomplete case of the alleged corruption case of PT Asuransi Jiwasraya and the bribery of former General Election Commission (KPU) Commissioner Wahyu Setiawan given by PDI-P candidates from the Sumatra Election Commission. South I Harun Masiku.

The spokesperson for this action, Edi Mulyadi, said that the demonstration was aimed at providing support as well as pressure on the government to investigate cases like this one. He was also disappointed that the police forbade this action to be carried out closer to the State Palace.

The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD said demonstrations carried out by the community could become pressure from the public and they know what the government has done. He also said that demonstrations did not violate any laws and would be good if they were to be carried out. As long as it is carried out in an orderly manner.

"Demonstrations are indeed made into laws. Because demonstrations cannot be prohibited. Both are good in a democratic country. ... I support it," Mahfud told reporters at the Kemenkopolhukam Office, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, Friday, February 21.

Executive Director of Indonesia Political Review, Ujang Komarudin, assessed that there is nothing wrong if a group of people holding a demonstration is allowed because it is a people's right guaranteed by the constitution. If they want to demonstrate, it is their right to anyone, including the 212 group, as long as all the rules are met.

Ujang agreed with Mahfud. He said, demonstrations could indeed put pressure on the government or other institutions that were deemed not to side with the people.

"And it just so happens that this time the demonstration is about corruption eradication, including the KPK. So don't look at the demonstration, group 212 or not. But look at the demands. They demonstrated because they thought there was something wrong with the KPK. So that's only natural," said Ujang. when contacted by VOI via text message.

However, Ujang assessed that at this time, demonstrations like this were actually not very effective either. This is because public pressure or aspirations are often not considered by the government.

"The current government rarely hears public aspirations. The public wants A to be done by the government instead B," he said.

Ujang gave an example about the revision of the KPK Law. According to Ujang, the public wave at that time wanted the regulation not to be revised. But, in reality, the government is still revising the legislation.

"The government actually made a revision and then weakened the KPK and now it is proven that it is weak. One of them is that there are 36 cases that have been dismissed," explained this political observer.

Apart from that, Ujang also touched on the omnibus law issue which is currently under the spotlight of the public. Even though the public feels that the regulation is detrimental to the working class, President Joko Widodo's government still submits the draft on the Omnibus Law on Job Creation to the DPR to be further discussed into law.

"Poor people, have the government but their aspirations are not heard," he said.