Rioting Demonstration Against Job Creation Law In Malang, Police Secure 80 People

Illustrations (Photo: Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Malang City Police (Polresta) arrested 80 people in a demonstration against the ratification of the Job Creation Law, in Malang City, East Java, which was marred by riots.

Kapolresta Malang Kota Kombes Pol Leonardus Simarmata said that the 80 people who were arrested are currently still collecting data regarding their role in the demonstration in front of the Malang City Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) Building.

"We have secured about 80 people who are still being recorded for now. We are conducting an examination, what their role is during the demonstration," said Leonardus, in Malang, as reported by Antara, Thursday, October 8.

Leonardus, who is often called Leo, added that in the demonstration against the Job Creation Law in Malang, there had been a clash between security officers and the participants in the action.

However, Leo continued, based on previous experience in Malang City, when there was a demonstration, there was never a riot like what happened today.

His party will explore the chaos that occurred in Malang City during this demonstration.

"We will explore (in this action) which group. Because it is not students and workers, when the mass was anarchist, fellow students and workers fell backward," said Leo.

In Malang City, East Java, thousands of workers and students gathered in front of the DPRD building and Malang City Hall to hold a demonstration against the Job Creation Bill. Initially, the demonstration went well.

Thousands of people began arriving in front of the Malang City DPRD Building, at approximately 10:00 WIB. When the masses had gathered quite a lot, there were several actions that triggered riots.

Protesters threw stones at the Malang City DPRD Building, then lit fires and firecrackers. Police officers then deployed a water cannon, and fired tear gas.

"Today's activity there were several clashes, because the masses took several actions, threw stones, burned, and then also destroyed," said Leo.

During the action, the demonstrators also burned several two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles at the location.

There are at least three four-wheeled vehicles, two damaged two-wheeled vehicles, and one bus belonging to the Batu Police.

"Vehicles from Satpol PP, Polres Batu buses, official vehicles from Polresta Malang City were also burned," Leo said.

In addition, due to the chaos during the demonstration in the Tugu area of Malang City, several victims were injured, both from protesters and officers on guard at the location.

Leo added, although the demonstration in Malang City was tinted with riots, at 17.15 WIB, all parties agreed to stop the action. Malang City is currently in a safe and conducive condition.

"This afternoon, at 17.15 WIB all demonstrations have been completed. Once again, until now we are in Malang City, we can maintain the situation," Leo said.