JAKARTA: Several groups gathered at the Senayan Legislative Complex in Central Jakarta on Thursday (Aug 27) morning, bringing demands ranging from the death penalty for corrupt officials and the swift passage of the asset forfeiture bill to lower prices for basic necessities.
Among them were residents from Pati, Central Java, who rallied under the banner of the United Pati People’s Alliance (AMPB). The group has been mobilising supporters and sending them to the capital since last week in preparation for Thursday’s rally.
Several buses carrying protesters were reportedly stopped by police while travelling to Jakarta, while a bank account belonging to AMPB coordinator Supriyono was temporarily blocked by Bank Mandiri. The latter move subsequently drew public outrage and prompted calls for a boycott of the state-owned lender.
The measures, however, did not deter the group. Five additional buses were expected to arrive in Jakarta “thanks to donations from the public,” Supriyono told journalists outside the legislative complex on Wednesday afternoon.
Since early Thursday, authorities have implemented traffic diversions around areas expected to be crowded with protesters. Police blocked several roads in the capital, including both lanes of Jl. Gatot Subroto from the Senayan Park area to the front of the legislative complex.
Dozens of security personnel were also deployed around the area.
Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Budi Hermanto said previously that at least 500 people were expected to engage in the protests. The number could increase as groups from outside Pati were also expected to join the demonstrations.
Police, however, said they were prepared to secure the protests and ensure they remained peaceful, while allowing other public activities, including schools and businesses, to continue operating safely and orderly.
“We also urge [protesters] not to damage public facilities and to remain mindful of other public activities. Think about keeping Indonesia safe, peaceful and conducive,” Budi said, as quoted by Kompas on Thursday.
First proposed in 2008 but stalled for years, the asset forfeiture bill would allow the state to confiscate assets suspected or found to be proceeds of crime, even before a criminal conviction. However, experts have warned that the legislation could also become a tool for targeting political opponents or enabling extortion.
The House of Representatives, which began drafting the bill in January, moved quickly to receive several Pati residents at the Senayan complex on Monday and assure them that the legislation would be passed by December at the latest.
“The bill’s deliberations will require only around eight more weeks,” said Gerindra Party lawmaker Habiburokhman, chair of House Commission III overseeing legal affairs, in a statement on Tuesday.
Government Communications Agency (GCA) head Muhammad Qodari separately said that President Prabowo Subianto’s administration supported the swift passage of the bill, saying that “the ball is now in the House’s court.” - The Jakarta Post/ANN
