Mahfud MD: Actors Riding Anarchist Action Demonstrations Of Job Creation Law Will Be Processed By Law

Press conference of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD (DOK. Kemenko Polhukam)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD regretted the mass anarchism of demonstrations against the Omnibus Law Cipta Kerja in a number of areas that damaged public facilities and looted.

Mahfud said this kind of action was a criminal act that could not be tolerated.

Mahfud emphasized that whoever the perpetrator or actor behind the anarchist action will be dealt with firmly through the applicable legal process.

"Once again, the government will take a firm stance and carry out legal proceedings against all the perpetrators and actors who ride on anarchist actions which have taken the form of criminal acts," Mahfud said in a press conference at his office, Thursday evening, October 8.

He also said that the action of destroying public facilities to physical attacks on the authorities and the community were sensitive actions regarding the condition of the nation which is currently struggling to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and improve a difficult economy.

Although he said that the government respects the constitutional right of its people to express opinions, he actually mentioned there are other ways to express dissatisfaction with the law that was just passed.

"Dissatisfaction with the law can be pursued in a way that is in accordance with the constitution, namely by channeling it in the process of making government regulations, presidential decrees, sweets, regional head offices as legislative delegates, and can even be submitted through the JR mechanism or judicial or formal trials to the Constitutional Court," he said.

Moreover, said Mahfud, the Job Creation Law was formed in order to carry out the government's duties to build people's welfare through the creation of more job opportunities, protection of workers, simplification of the bureaucracy and efforts and to eradicate corruption and extortion to prevent other corruption crimes.

Previously, a number of actions against the Job Creation Law occurred in a number of areas including DKI Jakarta. The masses of various elements of society took to the streets to reject this hastily drafted law and caused much controversy.

As a result of the anarchist action that occurred during the demonstration, the Head of the Corporate Secretary and Public Relations Division of PT Transportation Jakarta, Nadia Diposanjoyo, said that 18 Transjakarta bus stops were damaged due to the chaos.

This destruction was in the aftermath of demonstrations against the Job Creation Law in a number of areas in Jakarta. This action led to clashes between participants in the action and the police.

"Until 20.30 WIB, it was discovered that 18 Transjakarta bus stops were damaged by irresponsible persons," Nadia said in her statement, Thursday, October 8.

Nadia said, there were a number of bus stops that were burned by the participants in the action. At that time, the fire began to appear around 17.07 WIB.

"All of our officers and customers who were at the location were also successfully evacuated safely and there were no fatalities," said Nadia.

The estimated loss experienced by Transjakarta is at least IDR 45 billion. This figure will continue to grow, along with the data collection of losses that are still being calculated.

"Transjakarta deeply regrets and condemns the action of the bus stops and residents' facilities, especially the HI Roundabout. Because the HI Roundabout Stop is one of the facilities enjoyed by all Indonesian citizens that should be guarded together," he explained.