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The Star
5 days ago
- General
- The Star
Jakarta Police under fire for criminalising student paramedics
JAKARTA: The University of Indonesia (UI) and several civil society organisations have condemned the police's alleged use of excessive force and criminalisation of student protesters during the May Day rally in Jakarta last month, describing the actions as an abuse of power that threatens citizens' democratic rights. The criticism was sparked by the controversial naming of UI student Cho Yong Gi as a suspect, despite his role as a medical volunteer at the demonstration. Yong Gi, a philosophy student who was wearing medical attire and carrying first-aid equipment, was reportedly subjected to physical violence before being arrested. In a statement released on Tuesday (June 3), UI's Department of Philosophy expressed deep concern over the incident and pledged to provide full support to Yong Gi during the legal process. 'Arresting participants who were working in humanitarian roles, especially with the use of violence, raises serious concerns about civilian rights, including the protection of medical workers in peaceful demonstrations,' the statement reads. 'We urge the Jakarta police to handle this case objectively and fairly, taking into account our student's position and the humanitarian duties he was performing at the time.' The Jakarta Police have opened investigations into 14 suspects in connection with the May 1 protest in front of the House of Representatives building. The authorities claimed that the protests on May 1 had resulted in a chaotic demonstration and had disrupted public order. After arresting alleged violators, the police named 13 suspects on May 8 and subsequently named one more suspect. Among the 14 suspects are ten protesters and four individuals who served as medical and paralegal volunteers during the rally. 'They are suspected of committing a criminal offence by disobeying orders of intentionally failing to leave after being ordered to do so three times by authorised authorities, as stipulated in Articles 216 and 218 of the Criminal Code [KUHP],' said Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Ade Ary Syam during a press briefing on Tuesday. Meanwhile, UI's Student Executive Body reported in a separate statement that three out of the 14 suspects are the university's students. The student body reported that the demonstration proceeded peacefully until around 4:45 p.m. when police began dispersing the crowd using water cannons and barricades, triggering widespread panic as protesters ran to seek safety. 'During the forced dispersal, our colleagues were dragged away by several police officers and subjected to acts of violence, including being put in chokeholds, punched, kicked and stomped on by the authorities,' read the statement. 'We strongly condemn and oppose all forms of repressive and arbitrary actions carried out by the police against fellow activists. This incident is not an isolated case, but rather part of a broader pattern of repression systematically perpetuated by the state,' it added. Last month, the police also named 16 Trisakti University students suspects for a violent clash during a protest on May 21 to commemorate the reform era. But the police said that they have not issued arrest warrants and would be open to applying a restorative justice approach, Tempo reported. Rights group Amnesty International Indonesia said the recent arrest of May Day protestors reflects the excessive use of state force, and is part of a recurring pattern seen across numerous demonstrations. 'We have consistently called for accountability for this excessive use of force and urged authorities to ensure such incidents do not happen again,' said Usman Hamid, Amnesty's executive director, on Wednesday. His concerns were echoed by Fadhil Alfathan, director of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta). 'If this legal process continues as it is, we fear it will result in a flawed and unjust trial. Rather than upholding the rule of law, it risks punishing innocent people,' he said. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
The Star
19-05-2025
- The Star
Indonesia police open probe into incest-promoting Facebook groups
Incest word appears in dictionary. - Shutterstock/Casimiro PT JAKARTA: The police have begun cracking down on a Facebook group that allegedly posts adult content revolving around incest, amid mounting calls for the operators behind these illicit accounts to be brought to justice. Speaking in a press conference on Saturday (May 17), Jakarta Police spokesperson Adj Sr Comr Reonald Simanjuntak said that the city police's cybercrime division has opened a probe into a Facebook group called 'Fantasi Sedarah'. The group, which roughly translates to blood relative fantasies, had reportedly been posting incest-themed content and narratives, particularly targeting minors. It remains unclear, however, if the Facebook group also posted explicit pictures and pornographic materials. 'The Jakarta Police's cybercrime division will investigate and probe the Facebook [group]. We will investigate and probe everything on it,' he told reporters. The Facebook group and its content have stirred criticism from netizens across various social media platforms, many of whom are wary because some of the content sexualised children. Some people have also flagged other groups that posted similar contents. The Communications and Digital Ministry has moved quickly by coordinating with Meta, Facebook's parent company, to block the group, along with five others that posted similar content. "These groups fall under the [category] of disseminating [content] that contradict prevailing societal norms," Alexander Sabar, the ministry's digital monitoring director general, said in a statement on Friday. He said the content might also harm children. The blocking of these groups, Alexander said, was in line with provisions laid out in a recently-issued government regulation on child protection in the digital world. The regulation, signed by President Prabowo Subianto on March 28, mandates both public and private digital platforms to ensure their services are free from content harmful to children younger than 17 and that these providers must provide a safe online environment for child development. But Alexander also said that the success of maintaining a safe digital space does not rely solely on the government and platform providers, but also requires active participation from the broader public. "We urge the public to help maintain a safe and trustworthy digital space and to take part in monitoring any content or digital activity that could endanger our children's future," he said. The Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry said that the content posted on these platforms constituted a form of sexual exploitation and that law enforcement authorities should look to bring the people behind these accounts to justice if the ongoing investigation uncovers evidence of criminal actions. 'Such groups clearly contradict moral values and endanger the safety and future of Indonesia's children,' the ministry's secretary Titi Eko Rahayu said in a statement on Friday. 'Sexual fantasies involving incest are not only inappropriate, but also damage public perceptions of healthy family relationships,' she added. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
