TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

KAMI slams 'repressive' arrest of members linked to jobs law protests

The eight people were apprehended in Jakarta and Medan, North Sumatra.

News Desk (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Wed, October 14, 2020

Share This Article

Change Size

KAMI slams 'repressive' arrest of members linked to jobs law protests Foot down: Members of a factory union stand behind a banner protesting the recently passed omnibus bill on job creation during a strike on Oct. 7 at the sports footwear factory of PT Panarub Industry in Tangerang, Banten. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)

T

he Save Indonesia Coalition (KAMI) has objected to the arrest of eight people affiliated with the movement for allegedly spreading hate speech and violating the Electronic Information and Transactions Law amid widespread protests against the Job Creation Law.

The eight people were apprehended in Jakarta and Medan, North Sumatra.

“We regret and oppose the arrests because they were repressive; they are not in line with the duty of the National Police as society’s defender and protector,” KAMI presidium board member and former Indonesian Military commander Gen. (ret.) Gatot Nurmantyo said as quoted by kompas.com.

He added that the arrests had a “political” purpose as they had been “hastily” made.

Read also: Police arrest eight KAMI activists for alleged hate speech linked to jobs law protests

“The [arrests] have framed public opinion, ignored the presumption of innocence and put a tendentious label on a certain organization, as the police have revealed the identities of the detainees.”

Arrested in Jakarta were KAMI activists and executives Syahganda Nainggolan, Jumhur Hidayat, Anton Permana and Kingkin. Meanwhile, in Medan, the police arrested KAMI Medan chairman Khairil Amri and members Juliana, Devi and Wahyu Rasari Putri.

National Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Awi Setiyono claimed they had provided information that instigated hatred and hostility based on tribal affiliations, religion, race and societal groups (SARA) in relation to protests against the contentious Job Creation Law.

The North Sumatra Police also accused KAMI members in Medan of instigating a riot that had broken out in front of the North Sumatra Legislative Council last week following protests against the omnibus law. (trn)

{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.