Farmers Protest With Banners Leading To Changes To The President's Security Scheme

JAKARTA - The National Police has slightly changed the security scheme for President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi) working visit. This change was the result of a farmer's protest in Blitar, East Java.

It all started when Jokowi was about to leave the Blitar City PIPP parking area after reviewing the mass vaccination process. When they were about to get into the car, suddenly a man appeared with a poster.

He is Suroto. A laying hens farmer who asked for help. Because, on the poster it reads 'Pak Jokowi Help Farmers Buy Corn at a Reasonable Price'.

However, at that time Suroto was actually arrested by the police. In fact, he was taken to the Blitar Police Station for questioning regarding his actions.

Shortly after his action, Suroto actually received good news. He was selected as one of three representatives of chicken farmers in Blitar.

He was invited to meet Jokowi at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, on Wednesday 15 September.

After the incident, the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, immediately issued orders for all of his staff. They were asked to remain humane in escorting President Jokowi's working visit.

"First, that every security office must be carried out humanely and not too reactive," said the Head of the Public Relations Division of the National Police Inspector General Argo Yuwono.

Then, in the order contained in the telegram (ST) number STR 862/IX/PAM.III/2021, the National Police Chief also ordered his staff to provide space for the public to express their aspirations.

Moreover, if the act of conveying aspirations is in accordance with the applicable law.

"If there is a community group that conveys their aspirations, it will be well communicated that the action of aspiration should not disturb public order. We convey it to the group, we manage and we control it so that everything goes well and smoothly," said Argo.

However, the submission of aspirations is considered disturbing the order and the law, so decisive action can be taken. Stay with the notes, be humane to the community.

"If there are people who want to express their aspirations, it will be well communicated that the action to convey their aspirations must not disturb public order. We will continue to convey humanely to the group so as not to disturb public order," said Argo.