Members Of The House Of Representatives For Wadas District Remind Police That Jokowi Dislikes Repressive Attitudes

A number of residents who were detained by the police arrived at the mosque yard of Wadas Village, Bener, Purworejo, Central Java, Wednesday (9/2/2022)

JAKARTA - Member of the PKB faction of the DPR RI Abdul Kadir Karding commented on the chaos that occurred between security forces and residents in Wadas Village, Bener District, Purworejo, Central Java. The Legislator for the Central Java Region VI, which includes Wadas, Purworejo, hopes that the police should be able to explain and translate intelligently every order of President Joko Widodo, especially in overseeing infrastructure development.

"One of the references is that President Jokowi once criticized the police for being too over-reactive in responding to public criticism of him. Such as in the case of murals and demonstrations when he made a working visit to the community," Karding told reporters, Friday, February 11. The PKB politician emphasized that in guarding every national strategic project, the police must act humanely, which also applies to the Wadas case. It is known that the police escort was carried out in the context of securing the construction of the Bener Dam.

"As I know, President Jokowi is very aggressive in encouraging infrastructure development. However, he is not a person who likes violence and repressive approaches," he said.

According to Karding, police officers need to realize the importance of a humanist and professional approach in the field.

"This is important in an effort to improve public image and trust. So, whatever the reasons and the dynamics of the field, the police need to exercise restraint and take a humanist approach according to existing procedures," he explained.

Karding said, Benar Dam is a strategic project that provides benefits to the community in the fields of agricultural irrigation and transportation. From the data he received, at least the water supply for irrigated rice fields is around 13,589 Ha of the existing irrigation area and 1,110 Ha of the new irrigation area.

"The Benar Dam can also be a source of supply of raw water for the community of around 1,500 liters per second. And especially it can reduce the potential for flooding for Purworejo Regency and Kulonprogo Regency," he concluded.