Usman Hamid Meets Pramono, Asks Trisakti Students Who Demo At City Hall To Be Released

JAKARTA - Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia Usman Hamid together with Sumarsih, the mother of the victims of the Semanggi I tragedy met the Governor of DKI Jakarta Pramono Anung at the DKI Jakarta City Hall.

Usman admitted that his party discussed the chaos of demonstrations by Trisakti University students which was held in front of the DKI Jakarta City Hall on Wednesday, May 21 yesterday. Where, dozens of students were arrested by the police due to the clashes.

"I conveyed to Pak Pramono about the incident that was here yesterday, Trisakti students. Of course we both regret the incident," said Usman at DKI Jakarta City Hall, Thursday, May 22.

Usman admitted that he asked Pramono for help in communicating with the Polda Metro Jaya to release the students who were arrested by the police as a result of the action.

However, if there are students involved in acts of violence in the action, their arrests will be suspended.

"I also convey to Pak Pramono, please ask the Governor to participate in encouraging the suspension of the legal process," said Usman.

"If there are students who are proven to have committed acts of violence, of course we respect the legal process. But for those who only convey their aspirations, please release them," he added.

On that occasion, Usman explained the chronology of student actions that led to yesterday's clashes. In fact, Trisakti student representatives intend to meet with the DKI Jakarta National and Political Unity Agency (Bakesbangpol).

They want to ask the local government to submit a state acknowledgment of the victims of the 1998 tragedy by the central government.

"Indeed, some of the Trisakti academic community have been hoping for a kind of state recognition, Indonesia's recognition of the death of students in 1998. All of them, from Trisakti students, Atma Jaya, and others," explained Usman.

Two students who wanted to hold an audience also entered the City Hall gate using a motorbike. However, the internal security officers (pamdal) and the police guarding the action considered that there was an attempt to break into the City Hall and immediately confronted them. Thus, chaos ensued.

"On the other hand, students also panicked and finally tried to keep the fence open and there was tension, there was pulling, pushing and pushing and someone was beating," he explained.

Separately, the Special Staff of the Governor of DKI Jakarta for Public Communication, Chico Hakim said Pramono had communicated with the Metro Jaya Police Chief Inspector General Karyoto to convey Usman's request.

"Pak Gub also said that last night he also called the Police Chief for his request, Mas Usman. Earlier, if there was a legal process, it could be presented. Yes, that's the police realm. The provincial government and the governor will do what they can, so that these brothers can quickly go home," said Chico.