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embers of prominent rock band Slank said on Friday that they would drop their petition to challenge the National Police Law at the Constitutional Court after visiting the National Police headquarters.

Bimbim, Slank’s drummer, said they decided to cancel a judicial review request after learning that the police had never intended to shackle their freedom of expression.

 “This problem came about from a misunderstanding [...] The police banned our gigs due to brawls and bad timing. They explained this to the concert promoters, but we did not get the same explanation,” he said at the National Police headquarters in Jakarta.

Earlier this month, five Slank members filed a judicial review request after the police banned them from performing on several occasions since 2008.

They challenged Article 15 paragraph 2 of the 2002 National Police Law, in conjunction with Article 510 of the Criminal Code, which gives the police the authority to grant permits for public festivities, as well as to monitor them.

The police, Bimbim said, released a statement pledging their support for Slank and other Indonesian bands.

However, National Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Agus Rianto noted that Slank were still obliged to follow requirements, stipulated under the 2002 National Police Law, to attain a concert permit.

“We don’t discriminate against any cultural or art events, as long as it complies with the applicable laws,” Agus said.