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Police accused of using excessive force against protesters, journalists outside State of Nation venue
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo delivered his State of the Nation address on Friday at the legislative complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta. Outside, police personnel allegedly dispersed some protesters who wanted to stage a rally with force, and even intimidated journalists covering the police’s alleged violence.
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In line: Police perform a morning ceremony near the Constitutional Court in Central Jakarta on Thursday, June 27, ahead of the court's binding ruling on the presidential election resu. (JP/Donny Fernando)
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s President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo delivered his State of the Nation address on Friday, a rally protesting against an amendment to the Manpower Law was blocked from taking place outside the legislative complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, where the annual national event was being held.
The planned rally, organized by activists and members of labor unions, reportedly turned sour as police attempted to disperse some protesters with force and even allegedly intimidated journalists covering the incident.
Protesters grouped under the Workers and People Movement (GEBRAK), an alliance of labor unions, federations and confederations, said the police had arrested some of their colleagues.
Labor Movement Central National Union member Akbar Rewako told The Jakarta Post that at least 21 protesters had been “arbitrarily arrested” by the police when they gathered in front of the TVRI building, located near the legislative complex, in Senayan.
Some protesters were also asked to remove any union membership insignia, Akbar claimed.
“The officers took arbitrary measures against people who wanted to express their opinions. We call on them to immediately release our colleagues and stop applying repressive measures against civilians,” Akbar said in a press statement on Friday.
The police also stopped a number of buses transporting protesters to the rally venue, he claimed. Some activists and workers who traveled from regions near Jakarta, including Tangerang and Bekasi regencies, were stopped near their hometowns and told not to participate in the protest.
