2024-08-22 23:09:11
A number of students were detained at the East Jakarta Metro Police Headquarters, Thursday (8/22/2024). They were detained because they were going to join a demonstration at the DPR RI building, Jakarta. ANTARA/Syaiful Hakim
jpnn.comJAKARTA – East Jakarta Metro Police arrested 159 school students who were going to take part in a demonstration at the DPR building, Senayan, Central Jakarta, Thursday (22/8).
They will join the demonstration regarding the Constitutional Court (MK) ruling regarding the nomination of regional heads in the 2024 Pilkada.
“There are approximately 159 school children who have been detained so far. They are being detained at the police station and several police stations,” said East Jakarta Metro Police Chief Senior Commissioner Nicolas Ary Lilipaly at the East Jakarta Metro Police Headquarters, Thursday night.
A number of students were arrested while passing through several areas such as Kramat Jati, Cakung, Matraman, and MT Haryono on their way to the Indonesian House of Representatives building.
“Our officers did indeed conduct blockades in a number of areas to prevent school children from heading to Central Jakarta to join the protesters at the DPR RI building. They were secured while walking in groups (longmarch) and using motorbikes,” he explained.
The students followed the invitation to join the DPR RI building by word of mouth and invitations via social media, Instagram.
“So, the things they brought were only bags and books, like children going to school. There was no indication that they were carrying sharp weapons or anything else,” he said.
Furthermore, all students who were arrested will be recorded and the school and their parents will be called to make a statement to always supervise their children, especially when they come home from school.
“These students will be registered, we will call their parents and the school. We hope the school and parents will supervise their children,” said Nicolas.
Previously, the 3rd Plenary Meeting of the Indonesian House of Representatives for Session Period I of the 2023-2024 Session Year with the agenda of ratifying the Regional Head Election Bill (RUU Pilkada) which was planned to be held this Thursday morning, was canceled and rescheduled because the number of meeting participants did not meet the quorum.
The Pilkada Bill has drawn pros and cons because it was considered to be discussed briefly on Wednesday (21/8) by the Indonesian House of Representatives Legislation Body. The reason is that the discussion was considered not in accordance with the Constitutional Court Decision decided on Tuesday (20/8) regarding the requirements for candidacy in the Pilkada.
A number of community elements also took action at the DPR RI Building and the Constitutional Court to reject the plan to ratify the Pilkada Bill.
Meanwhile, the police have prepared 2,975 personnel to anticipate securing demonstrations in the two areas, namely the Constitutional Court Building and the MPR/DPR RI. (between/jpnn)
Police arrested 159 students who were about to join a demonstration at the DPR to reject the Regional Election Bill.