Demonstration Of The Job Creation Law, Observers Encourage President Jokowi To Meet Protesters

Demonstration of rejection of the Job Creation Law in Jakarta 22 October (Muhammad Iqbal / VOI)

JAKARTA - Executive Director of the Indonesian Political Review, Ujang Komarudin, assessed that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) should take the time to meet protesters, not send only his staff. He conveyed this in response to the demonstration against the Job Creation Law by students and workers, today.

"Yes, President Jokowi must meet the demonstrators. They are the people themselves, so they must be met. They want to convey their aspirations, so they must be responded well," said Ujang when contacted by VOI, Wednesday, October 28.

Ujang reasoned that Jokowi's efforts to send special staff to the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) were not considered to have much influence. This is because, in reflection, the special staff meeting with the demonstrators or the KSP with the demonstrators did not run smoothly because they felt they had not conveyed it completely to the President.

Second, he continued, meeting the demonstrators at the location was more appropriate than inviting them to the Palace. Ujang said that inviting demonstrators to the Palace caused a stir.

The third reason, Ujang believed, was that the participants in the action were reluctant to enter the State Palace for fear that their movement would be undermined by the government.

"If Jokowi appears in the midst of the demonstrators, it will have a shocking effect that their aspirations are being heard," he said.

Moreover, Ujang assessed that the government should open its ears and listen to the aspirations of the people. In addition, the government does not ignore the demands of society, including those related to the Job Creation Law.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the Indonesia Political Opinion (IPO) Dedi Kurnia Syah said that President Jokowi should not have to avoid demonstrators so that there is no impression that the government is distant from the public.

"It would be better if there is a dialogue because at least President Jokowi is consistently open and accepting public complaints. There should be no assumption that Jokowi forgets the public and only prioritizes the interests of certain groups," he said.

According to him, listening to the aspirations and demands of the public is actually part of political maturity. In addition, Dedi assessed, this method could make the community gradually provide support. Because, the government cannot go alone and it needs support from the public.

"However, the government needs public support so that the policies made can be implemented properly," said Dedi.

Previously, a number of people were expected to voice their aspirations to reject the controversial Job Creation Law. One of the organizations that will participate in the action is the Alliance of Indonesian Student Executive Bodies (BEM SI).

"The struggle that we will continue with the momentum of October 28, coincides with the Youth Pledge. BEM SI will voice the narrative of the People's Assembly on the problems of this country that have not been resolved by the government," said BEM SI Central Coordinator, Remy Hastian in a written statement, Tuesday, October 27. .

Remy said the action would be held at 13.00 WIB. He predicted that the crowd that would attend would be 1,000 people. Some students also come from outside DKI Jakarta Province.

As for the reason BEM SI held another demonstration, Remy admitted that his party was disappointed with President Joko Widodo's attitude of ignoring the rejection of the Job Creation Law which came from various elements of society.

Meanwhile, in relation to this action, Polda Metro Jaya has mapped the mass movement that will hold a demonstration. At least, there are three locations that will become the gathering points for the demonstrators.

"Tomorrow there will be at the Palace, DPR-MPR and the Proclamation Monument," said Dirlantas Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Sambodo Purnomo Yogo to reporters.