Cholil Mahmud And Other Musicians Ask For Release Of Detained Activists

Cholil Mahmud when he visited Polda Metro Jaya to ask for the release of detained activists (doc. Ist)

JAKARTA - A number of Indonesian musicians from the edge current music scene were present collectively to voice demands for the release of detained pro-democracy activists.

They visited Polda Metro Jaya on Tuesday, October 7. This arrival is not just a visit, but a strong cross-band solidarity action and a strong civil network.

Barisan musisi yang turut hadir, antara lain Cholil Mahmud (Efek Rumah Kaca), Eka Annash (The Brandals), Manson (MENTHOSA), dan Delpi (Dongker). Mereka datang bersama Gerak Buruh Bersama Rakyat (GEBRAK) dan berbagai jaringan masyarakat sipil.

Their total presence aims to be a guarantee of detention as well as provide moral support for activists whose status is now a prisoner.

The focus of their support is on four activists, namely Delpedro Marhaen, Syahdan Hussein, Muzaffar Salim, and Khariq Anhar, who were detained on suspicion of sedition during a demonstration last August.

Cholil Mahmud representing a group of musicians and guarantors also confirmed their struggle this time.

"We came not only as musicians, but as citizens who care. They were detained just because they conveyed the aspirations of the people, something that was guaranteed by the constitution," Cholil said in his statement.

During the solidarity visit, the guarantors and musicians had the opportunity to meet directly with the detainees. It is known that Delpedro has now undergone his 37th day of detention while waiting for the pretrial process. Meanwhile, the other three prisoners, Syahdan, Khariq, and Muchaffar, were placed in separate blocks.

The coalition of musicians and civil society also expressed deep concern over the trend of increasing the repression of freedom of expression in Indonesia.

What is more worrying, they highlight the use of digital technology by the apparatus as a tool to track and arrest citizens based on personal device and account data.

Cholil also gave a testimony that strengthened this concern. "A friend who came to visit solidarity, instead joined in. This indicates that digital technology is used to sweep anyone who is considered to have different views with the government. It has violated the rights of privacy and human rights," he stressed.

Based on this situation, the coalition of musicians and civil society finally conveyed four points of urgent demand to the government:

* Urges all pro-democracy activist detainees, including Del Pedro, Syahdan, Kharik, and Muzaffar, to be released immediately unconditionally. * Stop digital criminalization and surveillance (sweeping) against citizens expressing opinions. * Ask the government to respect and fulfill the basic rights and political rights of detainees, including their freedom to organize in prison. * Urges the public to continue to show solidarity with detained activists.