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Persistent police violence propels calls for reform
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A protester sits on a road as police-fired tear gas obscures the scene behind him during a demonstration against the Job Creation Law in Harmoni, Central Jakarta, on Oct. 8, 2020. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
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recent act of police brutality against a protester in Tangerang regency, Banten, has further motivated calls for police reform amid declining public sentiment toward the institution.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, as Tangerang students demonstrated in front of the regent’s office on the regency’s anniversary, calling for city pollution, the unfair treatment of COVID-19 volunteers and damaged roads to be addressed.
In a video of the protest that circulated on social media, a police officer slams a protester on the pavement while other officers try to push demonstrators back. A loud thump is audible, and the protester appears to have a seizure.
The protester was later identified as Muhamad Fariz Amrullah, a 21-year-old student at Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin State Islamic University in Serang, Banten. The officer attacking him was only publicly identified as NP, a brigadier from the Tangerang City Police.
After the incident, Fariz was brought to a nearby hospital by the police for a medical examination.
A later video that circulated on social media shows NP apologizing to Fariz and hugging him – although Fariz does not return the hug.
On Friday, NP was taken into custody by the Banten Police Internal Affairs Division (Propam) over a possible violation of the police code of ethics. The police said NP could face disciplinary sanctions, kompas.com reported.
