PDIP Cadre Case Beaten By Former Gerindra Semarang Chairman Because Of Raising Party Flags, This Is Bawaslu's Response

SEMARANG - The Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) of Semarang City emphasized that there is no control of certain areas by certain political parties in the installation of political party attributes, including flags.

"Attributes, then the flag is allowed to be installed. There is no regional system. This area is for the party. It can't be like that," said Semarang City Bawaslu Chair Arief Rahman as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, September 11.

Arief Rahman said this when responding to the alleged case of beating the former chairman of the Gerindra DPC Semarang City against PDI-P cadres because they questioned the installation of the political party flag.

Regarding the incident, Arief received information that the incident started with the installation of the flag of one of the political parties, even though all political parties were allowed to install any attributes as far as it did not conflict with the rules.

He gave an example of the prohibition on installing political party attributes in educational institutions and places of worship, but for the collection of certain areas there is no such thing.

According to him, no particular area is controlled by political parties to install political party flags, as long as they are not regulated in regulations, including the General Elections Commission (PKPU) regulations, such as places of worship, educational institutions, and government facilities.

Based on PKPU Number 15 of 2023 concerning General Election Campaigns, the ban on the installation of campaign props (APK) for elections is regulated, among others, in places of worship, places of health services, educational places, and government buildings or facilities.

Although it has not yet entered the campaign period, he said, political parties are allowed to put up flags as part of the socialization. For example, when there is consolidation, meetings, and the anniversary of political parties.

However, Arief reminded that political parties must still coordinate with the Civil Service Police Unit (PP) related to the installation of political party attributes because there is a duration and location regulated in regional regulations.

As previously reported, Gerindra Party politician Joko Santoso is suspected of beating Suparjianto, a PDI-P cadre, because of the installation of the political party flag in Gang Garuda, the area where he lives.

Joko visited Suparjianto's house to clarify why the party's flag bearing the bull symbol was only in RT 03 RW 04, Bandarharjo Village, which happened to be his residence.

The alleged beating has been reported and received by the Central Java Police SPKT number STTLP/167/IX/2023/JATENG/SPKT, and the victim is currently also accompanied by LBH Ratu Adil as legal counsel.

The incident received the spotlight from the Gerindra Party DPP which immediately held the Gerindra Party Honorary Court (MKP) Session and decided to remove Joko Santoso from the position of Chairman of the Gerindra Party DPC Semarang City.