Students in Jakarta throw dead rats into parliament building at Jobs Law protest

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Detik News – April 6, 2023
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Protester throws dead rat over gate into parliamentary complex – April 6, 2023 (Detik)
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Adrial Akbar, Jakarta – A number of student organisations that were holding a demonstration against the Job Creation Law (Ciptaker) have tried to get into the House of Representatives (DPR) building by pushing down the main entrance gate. They also threw dead rats into the building.

According to Detik's observations at the location on Thursday April 6, the protesters began rocking and shaking the gate at 5 pm. Before they began, one of the speakers gave an order to the demonstrators.

"Friends, who want's to ngabuburit [an activity while waiting for the evening call to prayer and the breaking of the fast], friends. Let's have some fun tearing down the gate, comrades. But remember not to riot", said one of the students from the command vehicle.

The demonstrators also tried to destroy CCTV cameras in the area. Police also issued a warning to the crowd.

"Please, go ahead and covey an opinion, but don't break the law. I'm warning you young students to maintain order", said one of the police officers through a megaphone.

Having failed to break down the gates, at 5.30 pm the demonstrators began throwing dead rats into the DPR building. Those throwing the rats also wore masks with the face of a rat on them.

University of Indonesia Student Executive Council (BEM UI) Chairperson Melki Sedek Huang said earlier that the demonstration was held to oppose the recent enactment of the government regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) on the Jobs Law. They felt disappointed with the enactment.

"This has resulted in our distrust of all state institutions, including the executive which forms legal products in secret, the legislature which facilitated the ratification of the Job Creation Perppu, to the judiciary which seems to be ignored by other state institutions", said Huang. (jbr/jbr)

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Mahasiswa Demo Tolak UU Ciptaker Lempar Tikus Mati ke DPR".]

Source: https://news.detik.com/berita/d-6659797/mahasiswa-demo-tolak-uu-ciptaker-lempar-tikus-mati-ke-dpr

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