Speaking to journalists here Tuesday, Head of Jakarta's Communication, Informatics and Statistics Office Budi Awaluddin said the perpetrators might have intended to obstruct identification efforts.
"The damage was likely aimed at preventing identification of demonstrators," he said, adding that damaging public property under any circumstances is unacceptable and it is a serious violation.
The surveillance camera is a public asset and crucial for maintaining security and supporting law enforcement, especially during public unrest, Awaluddin said.
Vandalizing public infrastructure, including CCTV, is a criminal offense under Article 406 of Indonesia's Criminal Code, carrying a maximum sentence of two years and eight months in prison or a fine, he added.
Therefore, while citizens' right to protest is well respected, Awaluddin stressed that such freedoms must be exercised responsibly.
Those responsible for Monday's acts of vandalism must be held accountable to prevent future incidents. To this end, his office would coordinate with police to investigate the incident thoroughly, he added.
On Monday, thousands of people staged a protest under the banner of the Revolution of the Indonesian People around the Senayan legislative complex.
The protesters demanded the dissolution of the House of Representatives (DPR), the cancellation of the ongoing Criminal Procedure Code revision, and the rejection of additional benefits for lawmakers.
In response to public concerns over the additional benefits, DPR Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said on Tuesday that the lawmakers would receive the housing allowance for just one year during their 2024–2029 term.
The legislators, inaugurated in October 2024, would not be provided with official housing, and would instead receive a monthly housing allowance of Rp50 million (about USD3,100) until October 2025, he said.
The one-year allowance was intended to cover housing costs for the entire five-year term, said Ahmad who assumed that the public confusion over the allowance issue was caused by a lack of clarity in the earlier explanation.
Related news: Jakarta police deploy 1,145 personnel to secure student protest at DPR
Translator: Lifia MP, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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