The important thing is that the government and the public can hear their aspirationsJakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD has asked legal enforcement officers to refrain from employing violence while monitoring student demonstrations.
He issued the directive to the deputy head of the Intelligence and Security Agency of the National Police, Inspector General Merdisyam, who represented the National Police chief during a meeting at the ministry's office here on Saturday.
In response to the organized demonstration, the government is coordinating with security forces and law enforcement agencies to ensure the rally runs well. There should be no violence, no live ammunition, and security personnel must not be provoked, Mahfud said.
The National Student Executive Board (BEM SI) will hold a demonstration in front of the State Palace on April 11, 2022. As many as one thousand students from various universities are expected to participate in the rally.
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The minister said that the government is paying the utmost attention to the plan for the protest.
“The government views demonstrations as part of democracy. However, Indonesia is also a nomocracy, or a state of law," he reminded.
He then appealed to students to maintain order during the demonstration and not to violate the law.
"The important thing is that the government and the public can hear their aspirations," he said.
The student demonstrators have put forward six demands.
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First, they have appealed to President Joko Widodo to publicly state that he firmly rejects the postponement of the 2024 general elections and the Presidential term extension discourse.
According to the students, those two things are against the Constitution.
Second, they have asked the President to postpone and review the State Capital Law, including problematic articles, saying it would have an impact on the environment, ecology, disasters, and public welfare or well-being.
Third, they have asked the President to stabilize prices and ensure the stock of staple commodities in the market, as well as resolve other food security-related issues.
Fourth, they have appealed to the President to thoroughly investigate the cooking oil case and evaluate the performance of the relevant ministers.
Fifth, they have demanded that the President resolve agrarian conflicts in Indonesia.
Last, the students have demanded that President Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin complete their campaign promises before their term ends in 2024.
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Translator: Genta T M, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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