Arrested Wadas Villager Has Been Released, Mahfud MD Ensures No Torture, Don't Framing

The atmosphere in Wadas Village (Photo: screenshot on Twitter)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD confirmed that all residents of Wadas Village, Purworejo, Central Java who had been detained by the police had been sent home.

This was conveyed in response to allegations of violence perpetrated by law enforcement officers who were dispatched to secure land measurements by the National Land Agency (BPN) team. This activity was carried out in an effort to build the Bener Reservoir which is a National Strategic Project.

"All residents who were detained yesterday at the Purworejo Police Headquarters have also been released," Mahfud said in a press conference broadcast on the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs YouTube, Wednesday, February 9.

Not only that, Mahfud claimed that there was no violence committed by the police. This is because the police there are only providing security because there are frictions between residents who are for and against the plan to build the reservoir.

"There was absolutely no victimization or blasphemy or torture," he stressed.

Furthermore, Mahfud emphasized that the conditions in Wadas Village are currently in a conducive condition. In fact, the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) once emphasized that the tense atmosphere in the region did not occur.

"Because Wadas Village is in a calm and peaceful state, especially right now. Those who don't believe can go there, anyone, it's an open place," he said.

With this condition, Mahfud reminded the public not to be provoked. "Entrust the resolution of this problem to the government permanently, please, those who want to check," he said.

"For those who like framing, I think making videos like dramas will make them realize that the National Police, BIN, and BAIS have the tools to know that these are artificial framing," concluded Mahfud.