Considered Unable To Monitor The Circulation Of Dangerous Drugs, The Indonesian BPOM Office Was Demonstrated By Masses While Burning Tires

JAKARTA - The mass group that is part of the Central Board of the Indonesian Legal Student Senate Association (PP ISMAHI) held a demonstration in front of the BPOM RI office, Jalan Percetakan Negara, Johar Baru District, Central Jakarta.

The mass action, which demanded the removal of the Head of BPOM RI, was also colored by the burning of used tires as a form of strong protest against their demands.

In his oration, Ali Hasan, an orator and Chairman of PP ISMAHI, called on that one of the companies providing herbal product services that has been operating in Indonesia since 2018 has become a public spotlight because its products are found to contain Drug Chemicals (BKO) which are prohibited or dangerous.

"The actions taken related to producing traditional medicines and foodstuffs that do not meet the standards are criminal acts that must be taken seriously by BPOM and law enforcement," said the orator in his action, Friday, September 20.

Moreover, on February 21, 2024, the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police Headquarters and BPOM itself carried out raids at the Jalan Raya Daan Mogot factory, Tangerang, Banten.

In the fact of the raid, the company is known to have mixed medicinal chemicals in food products or powder drinks. In addition, in this product there are also white ginseng raw materials as active raw materials to get the best effect of male vitality.

It was even confirmed that the raw materials were smuggled into Indonesia from Port Klang Malaysia via Medan and the Riau Islands.

According to Ali Hasan, BPOM is not good at supervising product testing. In fact, BPOM is suspected of having committed extortion against rogue companies. BPOM is considered unable to be at the forefront of monitoring the production of drugs and food.

The crowd also demanded that BPOM immediately revoke business licenses and seal companies involved in the mixing of medicinal chemicals (BKO) in food products (precise powder drinks).

"We urge law enforcement officials to take firm action against directors and commissioners as well as distributors. We ask BPOM to close everything," Ali told reporters.

Students also urged the dismissal of the Head of BPOM because they were considered negligent in supervising every provider of medicinal services and foodstuffs.

The masses also considered that BPOM RI failed to eradicate allegations of bribery practices and the rampant extortion in BPOM.

"To eradicate the bribery and extortion mafia in the body of bpom and arrest rogue bpom employees. Dismantle the office rats inside the BPOM," he said.

The demonstration was also under tight guard from members of the Central Jakarta Metro Police and the Johar Baru Police.

Meanwhile, due to the impact of the demonstration, the traffic flow around Jalan Percetakan Negara experienced congestion due to the mass demonstration.