Still Standing At The Horse Statue, Masses Of Labor Burns Tires

Masses of workers burned tires during a demonstration in the Horse Statue area of Central Jakarta/PHOTO: Diah Ayu-VOI

JAKARTA - Workers who held demonstrations in the Horse Statue area and along Jalan MH Thamrin, Central Jakarta, are still holding out this evening.

Oration-oration is still heard from the top of the command car. They also had time to burn tires to ignite the spirit of the appeal for their rejection of the Job Creation Act.

Along Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, the Horse Statue roundabout, and Jalan MH Thamrin were still closed due to workers' demonstrations. As a result, the surrounding traffic density has still occurred since noon due to this demonstration.

In today's demonstration, the labor group carried the attributes of flags and banners that read their rejection of the Job Creation Law.

They also brought a statue of a 2 meter tall rat. The statue, which symbolizes that the corruptor is seen carrying a suitcase containing money and a document from the Job Creation Law.

A group of workers who are members of the Alliance of the People's Labor Movement (GEBRAK) and the Action Alliance of One Million Workers (AASB) plan to occupy the demonstration point on Jalan MH Thamrin until the evening. Now, they have gathered and started to take turns.

"The latest information is until 21.00 WIB at night. Everything here is centered here," said a representative from the Indonesian Trade Union Alliance Congress (KASBI), Ahmad Taufik when met at the location of the action.

Ahmad Taufik hopes that employees based in buildings along Jalan Jenderal Sudirman and MH Thamrin will join the mass action demanding the rejection of the Job Creation Law.

"So the motorbikes are not placed in parking bags because of the orientation to occupy the road and invite workers in the office. Therefore, we may stay on the road," he said.

Central Jakarta Metro Police Chief Kombes Komarudin responded to the plan of a labor group to hold a demonstration on Jalan MH Thamrin, Central Jakarta, until the evening.

Komarudin asked the labor group to voice their aspirations according to the rules. Based on Law Number 9 of 1998 concerning Independence Expressing Opinions in Public, demonstrations are only allowed until 18.00.

Komarudin said this appeal was made in order to maintain conduciveness and not interfere with community activities, especially those who carry out activities around the location of the demonstration.

"Please convey its aspirations in an orderly manner and of course we hope not to interfere with the activities of the people of the capital city. Moreover, those who will pass to Jalan Sudirman, Thamrin, Monas and so on. Please if it is regulated in the laws and rights of every citizen, it is legal, but the public interest is also our common concern, "said Komarudin to reporters, Thursday, August 10.

Regarding the plan for the mass of workers who want to occupy the location of the action until the evening, Komarudin said that his party would follow up with persuasive efforts.

"Of course, even if the masses will carry out such activities, firstly persuasive steps, we will take appeals," he said.