VIVAnews - Jakarta Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) flays the decision made by the Governor of Jakarta, Fauzi Bowo who restricts the action of Anti-Corruption People Alliance (Kompak). AJI considers the decision arbitrary.
“The constitution insures every citizen in conveying their opinions,” AJI Jakarta Chairman Wahyu Dhyatmika says in a press release received by VIVAnews on Tuesday, December 1.
The ban was imposed upon Kompak while they were conducting a peace rally themed “Healthy Indonesia without Corruptions” on Sunday, November 29. Hundreds of people, who were coming from various elements of society, were surprised by the authorities who prohibited them from creating an open stage and turning on speakers around the area of Bundaran Hotel Indonesia, Kempinski.
Bowo says the restriction refers to Regional Regulation No. 8/ 2007 on Public Order. According to him, Bundaran HI area is not allowed to be used for excessive activities which may lead to disarray. The area is not also a place to throw a public party. Those who wish to conduct a rally are asked to create a low-key event.
After further examination, Dhyatmika presumes the regulation does not include any restriction of creating a stage. Therefore, it is obvious that what the governor did was unreasonable, constitution-harming and freedom of speech and expression-reining. “Fauzi Bowo’s decision is irrational in the present democratic era, “he said.
AJI Jakarta’s Coordinator of Advocacy Division, Aditya Wardhana also deplores the police’s decision not to prosecute a certain community group who is trying to trigger a riot on Kompak’s action. The group, who is said to be the East Indonesian People, has not informed the police of their action. “What they did was illegal,” Wardhana said.
He also said the police’s reluctance in prosecuting the group was deemed an outrage because it violated Law No. 9/1998 on Freedom of Speech that requires every group to inform their coming activities in public areas to the police. “AJI Jakarta also asks Regional Police’s Security Division Head to charge the Chairman of Central Jakarta Operation Bureau who wasn’t taking any action during the time,” Wardhana said.
Therefore, AJI urges Bowo to issue a public apology. They also ask government officials and community elements to respect people’s freedom of speech and expression.
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Translated by: Nataya Ermanti
