Police Investigate Damage To Local Government Property During TNI Law Demo At Grahadi Surabaya

A number of visitors took action to respond to the TNI Law in front of the Grahadi State Building in Surabaya, Monday (24/3/2025). (ANTARA/Didik Suhartono)

SURABAYA - Surabaya City Police (Polrestabes) investigated the case of the destruction of a number of properties belonging to the local government during a demonstration to address the TNI Law (UU) on Jalan Governor Suryo, in front of the Grahadi State Building, Surabaya.

"It was seen by the view of the eyes damaged by the group that the flagpole belonging to the East Java Provincial Government was about four to five pieces, then CCTV was also damaged, there were two pieces belonging to the Surabaya City Government at the Suryo Governor's pedestrian road," said Head of Public Relations of the Surabaya Polrestabes AKP Rina Shanty Dewi as reported by ANTARA, Monday, March 24.

In addition, he said, there was also a gate with the theme of Ramadan belonging to the East Java Provincial Government which was also damaged in the east of the Grahadi State Building.

Until now, he continued, an investigation was still being carried out on who carried out the destruction of property belonging to the local government.

AKP Rina explained, before the demonstration to express his aspirations, his party had appealed to students not to take excessive action and use the ribbon as a marker.

"So that we can distinguish who and where the students came from," he said.

His party regrets that there are individuals who destroy property belonging to the local government, because this can cause a negative impression.

Meanwhile, until 18.20 WIB, the protesters were still on the highway in front of the Surabaya City Square, which forced the police to disperse because it had exceeded the specified time limit.

Demonstrations can only be carried out at certain places and times, if it is open between 06.00 a.m. to 18.00 p.m. local time, then in a closed place between 06.00 a.m. and 22.00 p.m. local time.

"We really appreciate students who have returned home and continue to prioritize the rules, whether it's from students or not, we can't identify yet and see in the future," he said.

A total of 1,128 personnel from the Surabaya Polrestabes assisted by the East Java Regional Police (Polda) secured a demonstration against the TNI Law (UU).

According to ANTARA's observation at the location, Monday, the crowd was escorted by the police at 13.25 WIB, from Jalan Basuki Rahmat, where the gathering point headed to the Grahadi State Building on Jalan Governor Suryo Surabaya.

The action heated up, as the masses threw bottles of mineral water followed by other protesters at the police officers guarding the entrance to the Grahadi State Building in Surabaya, at 16.25 WIB.

Not only dismantling barriers to barbed wire, protesters also damaged the gate design of Ramadan at the east door, and took the long pole and flag belonging to the East Java Provincial Government which was installed in front of the Grahadi State Building yard.

In addition, two CCTVs belonging to the Surabaya City Government were installed on the pedestrian pole of Jalan Governor Suryo, precisely in front of Taman Apsari and the Post office were also damaged.