Indonesian Police vows humane crowd control as protests loom

Our policing measures will remain preventive and preemptive,

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian National Police (Polri) reaffirmed its commitment to using a humane approach to maintaining public order, including during demonstrations scheduled to take place across Jakarta on Wednesday.

“We continue to prioritize a humane approach. Our policing measures will remain preventive and preemptive,” Polri Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto said at police headquarters in Jakarta.

He stressed that the police respected citizens’ right to express their views in public but urged demonstrators to refrain from violence.

Suyudi made the statement amid reports that the University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI) and various community groups were planning demonstrations at several locations across the capital on Wednesday.

BEM UI planned to stage a protest at the HI Roundabout in Central Jakarta at around 2 p.m. local time.

Separately, Polri Public Relations Division Head Inspector General Eddizon Isir reiterated the force’s commitment to serving the public through effective communication, a humane approach, and collaboration with various communities.

“Polri respects every citizen’s right to express their opinions in public. As stipulated in Law No. 9 of 1998, freedom of expression is a right that must be respected and protected,” he said.

Isir added that Polri’s public order and security duties prioritize many preemptive and preventive measures before resorting to proportionate law enforcement when necessary.

He explained that preemptive measures include early detection, warnings, and engagement with various segments of society to anticipate potential security risks.

These efforts also aim to raise public awareness of the responsibilities that accompany freedom of expression and the importance of verifying information before sharing it.

Emphasizing the importance of prevention, Isir said police personnel were prepared to provide security, protection, and assistance to demonstrators and other members of the public during the protests.

He added that Polri aimed to ensure the demonstrations proceeded peacefully while minimizing disruption to public activities through traffic management, patrols, and communication with protest coordinators.

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Translator: Nadia Putri, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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