National Police Chief, Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo ordered his staff to oversee the student demonstrations on April 11, 2022 by prioritizing a humanist approach. Sigit guarantees the freedom of citizens to express their opinions.
“Polri provides and guarantees every citizen to express their aspirations or provide space for democracy. Therefore, a humanist approach must continue to be implemented in guarding demonstrations,” said Sigit in a written statement to reporters, Sunday (April 10, 2022).
Sigit then explained the Police’s commitment to upholding human rights and democratic values in Indonesia. According to Sigit, the Bhayangkara Corps adheres to the 1945 Constitution and the Law on freedom of opinion and expression which are part of human rights so that they are given universal protection.
In addition, Sigit also emphasized that the National Police will continue to carry out their duties in providing security and public order guarantees (kamtibmas). Therefore, Sigit hopes that today’s demonstration will be able to respect and maintain the sanctity and solemnity of Muslims who are fasting during Ramadan.
“Therefore, humanity must continue to be carried out. Moreover, because it is currently the month of Ramadan, we must pay attention to the purity and solemnity of Muslims who are fasting,” said Sigit.
For the sake of creating a more conducive, safe and peaceful security and security situation during the demonstration during Ramadan, Sigit appealed to both the police and the action participants to jointly anticipate the presence of stowaway or unscrupulous persons trying to ride the student demonstration.
Sigit said that with the anticipation of stowaways from the police and action participants, the aspirations conveyed could run and be channeled properly without any noise or communication blockage. With the noise or not, Sigit believes that the aspirations expressed by students and the community can be well received and followed up by policy makers.
Sigit believes that students as intellectuals also do not want and hope that their actions are infiltrated by irresponsible people.
“So that the delivery of this message is really conveyed clearly without any noise. That way, decision makers, policy makers, listen clearly, then immediately follow up on the message without being disturbed by the noise. This is of course our shared responsibility,” he said.
Regarding stowaway, Sigit stated that the police will take strict action against anyone who tries to take advantage of the demonstration to take advantage of the interests of a few groups.
But towards groups of intruders who will ride the help of comrades to keep an eye on it. If there is a trigger, then something anarchic in nature happens and we have to enforce the law, pull it up to the top until it is finished and we will process everything. Because the police want the student movement to run in a safe, orderly manner and convey their aspirations,” he said.
“Once again, I urge you, let’s together keep the holy month of Ramadan. Express your aspirations in an orderly and peaceful manner. Hopefully our Muslim brothers and sisters can carry out their fasting worship quietly and smoothly until the end,” he added.