The police silenced the workers’ demonstration on the grounds of the pandemic, Pilkada continuously goes Page all

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Labor action rejects confirmation all the law The Employment Creation Law Project became a silenced law with a telegram from the Chief of the National Police prohibiting the action.

Several labor groups wishing to protest were intercepted by the police on their way to the site of the demonstration on Monday (05/10/2020).

Meanwhile, the letter with the number STR / 645 / X / PAM.3.2. / 2020 was signed by Deputy Chief of Police, Inspector General Imam Sugianto on behalf of Chief of Police General (Pol) Idham Azis on October 2, 2020.

It contains 12 orders from the Chief of the National Police to the ranks to anticipate demonstrations (unras) and work stoppages from October 6 to 8, 2020 in the context of rejection. all the law Work creation law.

Also read: 12 orders from the head of the National Police to reduce labor actions in the job creation bill: monitor social networks to counter the narrative

The police chief’s orders included conducting early detection, preventing demonstrations to stop the spread of Covid-19, cyber patrols, counter-narratives, preparing security plans and enforcing the law.

The National Police have used the Covid-19 pandemic as an excuse for not giving permission for demonstrations and other activities that involve crowds.

However, the National Police recognized that the expression of aspirations or demonstrations was not prohibited, as stipulated in Law Number 9 of 1998 on Freedom of Expression of Opinion in Public.

However, the spread of Covid-19 is prone to occur in activities that involve large crowds.

Also read: Police prohibit protests during the Covid-19 pandemic

According to the Chief of the Public Relations Division of the National Police, Inspector General Argo Yuwono, the guideline of the National Police in the midst of a pandemic is that the safety of people is the highest law o “The safety of the people is the supreme law.”

“So, the National Police did not give permission for demonstrations or other activities that generated crowds with the aim of preventing the spread of Covid,” Argo said in a written statement on Monday (05/10/2020).

“This is also in line with the Chief of Information of the Police. We ask the community to comply,” he said.

Also read: The police asked not to give reasons to Covid-19 to silence the protests

KOMPAS.com/RASYID RIDHO PT Nikomas Gemilang workers held a demonstration against the bus law in front of the company gate

Inconsistent

The broadcast of the telegram received criticism from various parties, including the Commission on Missing Persons and Acts of Violence (Kontras).

Kontras coordinator Fatia Maulidiyanti is of the opinion that the Covid-19 pandemic, which is used as an excuse to ban workers’ actions, runs counter to a number of government policies, for example, the 2020 simultaneous regional elections.

“It really isn’t apple to apple or not the same as how the government allows or issues other policies that are also contrary to the management of Covid-19 itself, ”Fatia said at a virtual press conference on Tuesday (6/10/2020).

“Like holding a pilkada concert or even deciding to hold a regional election this year,” he said.

Also read: KSPSI President’s Message to Workers: No friction, don’t be provoked

He said that the freedom of expression of the workers was affected by the telegram.

According to Fatia, the public was forced to take to the streets due to government decisions that were not based on the interests of the people.

However, he admitted that the crowds had the potential to create new Covid-19 spread clusters.

Kontras also considered that the management of demonstrations in the middle of a pandemic should not use excessive means.

“Where in reality this can be overcome in certain ways and there is no need to carry out or launch excessive actions, such as telegraphic letters or surveillance in various channels or industrial centers as the police and TNI do today.” Fatia said.

Read also: Different attitudes of the police regarding demonstration permits and Pilkada, Workers’ unions: discriminatory

Pilkada will still take place

Several parties have called for the 2020 simultaneous regional elections to be postponed considering that the pandemic is still ongoing.

The latest request for postponement of the regional elections came from the president of the MPR, Bambang Soesatyo, when he responded to the presence of three candidates for regional heads who died from the Covid-19 infection.

Bambang asked the government to consider postponing the elections if the number of victims and violators of health protocols continues to rise during the electoral stages.

Also read: President of the MPR asks the government to consider options to postpone the elections

“The government, in this case the Interior Ministry, has to be firm in making policies and decisions,” Bambang said in a written statement on Monday (10/5/2020).

“If Covid-19 victims and health protocol violators in the Pilkada 2020 stage continue to increase, it is necessary to consider postponing Pilkada 2020,” he said.

Also read: PP Muhammadiyah: What good is Pilkada if people get sick and die?

KOMPAS / PRIYOMBODO Pilkada Illustration

In response to this, Commissioner of the General Elections Commission (KPU) I Dewa Kade Wiarsa Raka Sandi said that his party could not decide to postpone the elections unilaterally.

Based on the latest agreement between the KPU, the government and the DPR, Raka said, it was decided that the 2020 Pilkada would continue.

“When there were no changes in the provisions in the Perppu that I transmitted, then looking also at the results of the PDR (hearing meeting) in the last Commission II, I think (Pilkada) will still take place,” Raka told Kompas.com, Tuesday (10/6/2020).

Also read: When the pressure to postpone the 2020 regional elections grows stronger …

Currently, the Pilkada 2020 stage has entered the campaign period. Several parties have also reminded candidate couples to comply with health protocols during elections.

The Chief of the National Police has also issued an announcement, in which one of the points requires that the organizers, participants and related parties apply health protocols during the electoral stages.

However, in reality, the Electoral Supervision Agency (Bawaslu) still found 237 alleged violations of the health protocol during the 10-day campaign period.

“Bawaslu found 237 alleged health protocol violations in 59 districts / cities,” Bawaslu member Mochammad Afifuddin said in a written statement received. Kompas.com, Tuesday (10/6/2020).

Also read: 10-day electoral campaign, Bawaslu finds 237 alleged violations of the health protocol

Regarding the complaint, 48 activities were dissolved. In addition, Bawaslu also sent 70 written warning letters to violators.

Meanwhile, the Pilkada 2020 campaign period will run for 71 days, from September 26 to December 5, 2020. In the meantime, voting is scheduled for December 9.