Pro-Democracy Front Considers Police To Be Disseminating When Thugs Disband FTA Discussions In Kemang

JAKARTA The Pro-Democracy Front issued a statement of attitude after the disbandment of the Indonesian Forum (FTA) discussion at the Grand Kemang Hotel, South Jakarta, September 28, 2024.

There are 3 points listed in the letter in PDF format. One of them is strongly condemning the neglect carried out by the police at the time of the incident.

The State Must Attend and Enforce the Supremacy of Law. We, who are members of the Pro-Democracy Front, hereby strongly condemn the occurrence of acts of violence and thuggery behavior of forced disbandment of discussion activities held by the Indonesian Forum.

The thugs, whose identities were not clearly visible, stormed into the venue in the hotel room, forcibly dispersed the meeting ceremony, shouted, unfurled banners and chatted over the room, disbanding a discussion themed National Friendship Diaspora with National Figures and Activists.

Ironically, the violence occurred and it was discovered by the security forces, because the raid on the hotel was carried out in front of a number of police officers. It is strongly suspected that there has been omission by the police who are supposed to be in charge of maintaining security. For this incident, the Pro-Democracy Barisan asked:

1. Police officers, in this case, urge the National Police Chief to immediately investigate, investigate and take action against the perpetrators, including those who order or are responsible for these acts of thuggery. The act of disbanding the discussion is a terror against citizens, which should not have happened in a country that upholds the rule of law and democracy.

2. We strongly condemn the omission carried out by the police for acts of thuggery in the dissolution of the discussion. Police officers should be quick to take action to protect discussion activities as the right of citizens to gather and express themselves. Police officers who allow coercion action have violated their duties, and deserve action/sanctions because they have neglected their duties. In order to emphasize that the main task of the police according to the law is to maintain security and order. Not the other way around!!

3. We demand that the state be present in carrying out its duties and functions. We also invite the public not to comply with acts of thuggery, terror and the like.!!

"Citizens and every individual Indonesian people, we urge them to continue to dare to voice and exercise their rights as sovereign citizens." the contents of the letter.

There are several names in the statement of Barisan Pro Democracy, namely M. Said Didu, Anthony Budiawan, Refly Harun, KRMT Roy Suryo, Abraham Samad, Din Syamsuddin, Harkristuti Harkrisnowo, Petrus Selestinus, Andi Sahrandi, Jimmly Asshidiqie, and others.