Reading The Possible Expansion Of The Tamansari Conflict

Poster protesting the police's repressive actions in Tamansari (Twitter / @ aksikamisanbdg)

JAKARTA - The impact of forced evictions by Satpol PP and police officers against residents of Tamansari Bandung, West Java, has garnered public sympathy. Solidarity of support for the residents of the area is also getting bigger. Authorities need to be vigilant.

Police observer from the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISeSS) Bambang Rukmito views the support movement aimed at Tamansari residents could expand to become a mass movement.

Although there is no visible potential for the expansion of conflict on a national scale, Bambang said that the potential for conflict expansion is very likely to occur on a local scale - in Bandung and its surroundings. The impact of the expansion of the conflict, according to Bambang, would be greatly influenced by issues related to the repressive actions of the authorities against a number of Tamansari residents.

"Yes, it will expand. I think it is too far if it is interpreted as reaching a national issue. Because it is very local," he said when contacted by VOI, in Jakarta, Friday, December 13.

As is known, the eviction of settlements in RW 11, Tamansari Village, Bandung City yesterday was marked by clashes between the community and security forces. In the aftermath of the clash, the police arrested a number of people who were sympathetic to the evictees.

Issues and pictures related to police repression against the public have circulated in the past two days. Several videos show how the police fired tear gas to break up the clashes. Not only that. Several viral videos also show Satpol PP and police officers brutally beating residents.

The authorities committed violence against residents pic.twitter.com/nmPIOIKc30

- N- (@kochengmerah) December 12, 2019

Anticipate escalating conflicts

Bambang said the police must immediately anticipate the expansion of the solidarity movement. This is very important to avoid riots that might occur. The trick, of course, is to take firm action against members of the police who are involved in the acts of persecuting citizens.

"In order not to expand, the police leadership must take firm action against its members who leave the SOP. And it must be shown to the public that the sanctions on members who commit violations are really being carried out. It must be open as well," he said.

Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the DPR Desmond J Mahesa also criticized the way the police and Satpol PP handled the eviction of Tamansari residents' houses. Desmond considered that the police should have been gentler, not the opposite in displaying violence in public.

Desmond, who admitted that he had watched the eviction video, strongly criticized the police violence against the residents. For Desmond, it's clear. The police should work for the people, not for businessmen and investors.

"People who do not carry weapons, do not fight even be beaten? I condemn police actions like this. The face of the police should not be like this. What's the matter? The problem is that the police protect who? Protecting businessmen, the government in the context of evictions? "he said at the DPR Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Friday, December 13.

The Gerindra politician regretted the events that took place just a few days after the commemoration of World Human Rights Day on 10 December. For Desmond, the police should show the changing face of Polri to support good governance, peace and no conflict.

"Yes, it should make a shady face. So that Pak Jokowi's government is calmer. Not showing harsh things like this," he explained.

This 98 human rights activist protested strongly to the West Java Regional Police Chief Inspector General Rudy Sufahriadi for failing to carry out humanist evictions. According to him, this case must be handled by the National Police Chief, General Pol Idham Azis. "Yes, it must be evaluated, the police chief must step down. It must be replaced by Idham," he said.

According to Desmond, during a working meeting between Commission III and the National Police Chief, his party would ask about the violence that occurred during the handling of the evictions at Tamansari, Bandung.