Nearly 3,000 Officers Deployed to Secure Jakarta Protests
Jakarta. A total of 2,975 personnel have been deployed to secure protests at several key locations in Jakarta, including the House of Representatives (DPR) building, the Arjuna Wijaya Statue, the Constitutional Court (MK), and the Merdeka Palace on Thursday.
Jakarta Metro Police's Head of Public Relations, Police Commissioner Ade Ary Syam Indradi said the personnel comprise a joint force from the Police, the Indonesian Military (TNI), the Jakarta Provincial Government, and other related agencies.
Ade Ary urged protesters to remain orderly and express their views in accordance with the law, warning against any provocations.
“To the coordinators and orators, please deliver your speeches politely and do not incite the masses,” he said.
“Conduct the protests peacefully, avoid coercion, refrain from vandalism, and respect other road users,” he added.
The demonstrations are part of the "Indonesia Emergency Alert" movement, which gained traction on social media following the DPR's move to disregard recent rulings by the Constitutional Court (MK).
On Tuesday, the MK issued two crucial decisions regarding the nomination process for regional elections, which have since sparked public outcry.
The MK lowered the electoral threshold to 6.5-10 percent of valid votes, enabling individual parties to nominate candidates without a coalition. However, the DPR, excluding PDI-P, ruled that this decision only applies to non-parliamentary parties, limiting the potential for more candidates in the upcoming November election.
Additionally, the DPR disregarded the MK's ruling on the minimum age for regional leader candidates, choosing to follow a Supreme Court decision that sets the minimum age at 30 years. This adjustment could allow Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) Chairman Kaesang Pangarep, the son of President Joko Widodo, to participate in the 2024 regional elections, despite earlier doubts about his eligibility due to age.
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