Mahfud MD: Desa Wadas In A Calm State Who Can't Believe It Can Go There

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD denied that the atmosphere in Wadas Village, Purworejo, Central Java was tense. He said the conditions there were conducive and peaceful unlike the videos that were circulating recently.

He conveyed this in response to allegations of violence against residents in Wadas Village after the deployment of law enforcement officers on Tuesday, February 8 yesterday. The drop was carried out to assist the National Land Agency (BPN) team in measuring the soil at the location of the Bener Reservoir candidate.

"All the information and news that depicts a tense atmosphere as if there was a tense atmosphere on Monday, did not happen at all, it did not happen as described. Especially on social media," said Mahfud in a press conference broadcast on the YouTube of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, RI, Wednesday, February 9th.

The former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) said the atmosphere in Wadas Village so far has tended to be conducive and peaceful. Mahfud even challenged, anyone who does not believe can come directly there to ensure conditions on the field.

"Wadas is calm and peaceful, especially now. Those who don't believe can go there. Anyone. It's an open place," he said.

Furthermore, Mahfud also said that all residents who had been detained at the Purworejo Police Headquarters, Central Java had all been released. They, he continued, have returned home in a safe condition and have not experienced violence or torture by law enforcement officers.

"All have returned to their homes and there were absolutely no victims or blasphemy or torture," said Mahfud.

He said that even if there was friction, it was because the people in Wadas Village were divided into two camps between the pros and cons. Thus, he emphasized that it was inappropriate for the Police to carry out violence as stated by many parties, especially on social media.

"In the security process yesterday, there was indeed friction in the field, but the friction was only an excess of the crowd of people involved in the pros and cons of the development plan (Bener Reservoir, ed) and the Police only took security measures in the friction between residents," he concluded.