Responding To The DPR's Front Demonstration, Coordinating Minister Yusril: Go Ahead, Give DPR Disbanded Aspirations

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra answered reporters' questions at his office, Jakarta, Friday, December 20, 2024. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correction Yusril Ihza Mahendra invited the public to express their aspirations in the demonstration at the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Building, Jakarta, Monday.

Yusril said the government had never prohibited the public from holding demonstrations because Indonesia was a democratic country.

"We don't forbid demo people. Go ahead and give aspirations to dissolve the DPR, dissolve the MPR," said Yusril when met at the University of Indonesia, Depok, West Java, Monday, which was confiscated by Antara.

Thus, in a democratic country, said Yusril, voicing wills and wishes is permissible as long as it does not disturb public order and does not interfere with the law.

"In a democratic country, we must respect all processes," he said.

The demonstration at the DPR Building was initiated by a movement on behalf of the Indonesian People's Revolution, with demands including the dissolution of the DPR, rejection of the revision of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), to canceling the increase in salaries and allowances of the DPR.

After the action took place since the morning, police officers fired water cannon to dispel the mass of protests that began to become anarchic by throwing officers in front of the DPR/MPR/DPD Building.

Monitoring at the location at around 12.50 WIB, police officers continued to push back the crowd by combing Jalan Gatot Subroto.

Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the House of Representatives Dave Laksono said that the meeting in the House of Representatives was still held despite the demonstration situation outside the parliament complex, Jakarta, Monday afternoon, in a "heating" condition.

He conveyed this when opening the Public Hearing Meeting (RDPU) regarding the discussion of the revision of the Broadcasting Law. The meeting invited the Indonesian Ulema Council, the Conference of the Mayor of the Indonesian Church, to the National Commission for Tobacco Control.

"I thank you for the presence of the speakers this afternoon, although outside the atmosphere it may be a little hot," said Dave.

According to him, the heated situation should not dampen the intention and mandate in carrying out tasks for the nation and state.