Jokowi Denies That He Deliberately Dodged During The Demonstration Of The Job Creation Law On October 8

President Joko Widodo (Photo: Twitter @jokowi)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) denied that he was allergic to the demonstration by students and laborers, especially in connection with Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation. He emphasized that his going out of town during the labor and student demonstrations was not intentional but because the agenda had been prepared for a long time.

This was conveyed by Jokowi in response to a question why he preferred to go to Pisang Island Regency, Central Kalimantan to visit the food barn area or food estate on Thursday, October 8, when masses of workers and students from various organizations and campuses in DKI Jakarta held demonstrations against the Law. Job Creation.

"No (not intentionally avoiding demonstrations, red). Yes, demonstrations are ordinary. Every day, every week, there are demonstrations at the Palace and it is guaranteed by law. It is guaranteed," said Jokowi in his exclusive interview. with Rosiana Silalahi, which was broadcast on Kompas TV, Monday night, 16 November.

Jokowi said that his visit to Central Kalimantan had been prepared in advance. However, before leaving, he had time to consult with the National Police Chief, General Idham Azis and Minister of State Secretary (Mensetneg) Pratikno, whether or not this official trip was needed to be continued.

"When I was about to leave, I called the Chief of Police, I called the State Secretary whether I continued or should I be in Jakarta. What did the Chief of Police and the Secretary of State say? 'Please keep going because this is a long preparation to control food estate which is also important for this country' . So that's the condition, "he said.

When he found out that the condition of this demonstration had turned chaotic because of the rioting masses, Jokowi then again contacted the National Police and the State Secretary to discuss whether or not he should return to Jakarta as fresh as possible.

However, according to the former governor of DKI Jakarta, these two whisperers considered that he did not need to return to Jakarta because the problem of this demonstration would be ordered by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD.

"Even at noon I called whether I needed to hurry up and go home, 'no, sir. This will be handled by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs'. I followed, and I asked, once again asking for advice, once again to the Chief of Police and the State Secretary because they have calculations," Jokowi explained.

It is known that during a demonstration against the Job Creation Law by students and workers on Thursday, October 8, President Jokowi actually visited Pisang Island Regency, Central Kalimantan. While there, Jokowi visited the food storage area that is being developed in the form of rice cultivation, fish cages and duck farming.

As a result, President Jokowi has been criticized by a number of parties. Observers think President Jokowi should have been in Jakarta when the action took place and met the community directly to listen to their aspirations instead of leaving the city on the grounds of reviewing projects or doing other things.