Larissa Huda, Jakarta – The first court hearing of three activists accused of inciting the August 2025 demonstrations was marked by symbolic action.
Lokataru Foundation Director Delpedro Marhaen gave pink roses to the public prosecutor and the panel of judges during the hearing at the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday December 16.
The pink roses were given out shortly after Marhaen entered the courtroom on 1st Floor of the Central Jakarta District Court at around 1.31 pm. "The more you push us, the more we resist!" (Semakin ditekan, semakin melawan) Marhaen shouted as he stepped into the courtroom.
He then placed a pink rose in front of the public prosecutor's table while giving a speech. "This is for the public (prosecutor), and two (roses) for the panel of judges whose presence we are waiting for. Freedom, freedom, long live the people", he said.
Marhaen was not alone. His actions were followed by the three other defendants in the case, namely Lokataru staff member Muzaffar Salim, Gejayan Calling activist Syahdan Husein and Riau Student Challenge Alliance activist Khariq Anhar.
In his speech, Marhaen emphasised his stance regarding the case he is facing.
"We will be responsible for what we do regarding legal aid and everything else, we will be responsible for it, but for the things we didn't do we will not be held responsible", explained Delpedro.
The four defendants also invited those attending the court hearing to observe a moment of silence for the victims of the flood and landslide disasters in Sumatra.
When the panel of judges entered the courtroom and the trial officially opened, Marhaen again gave a pink rose to the head of the panel of judges.
"Thank you, thank you. Please just take it", said the head of the panel of judges in response to being giving the flower.
Family and supporters present at hearing
This hearing was also attended by Marhaen's family. His parents, Deni Rismansyah and Magda Antista, could be seen wearing pink scarves reading "The more you push us, the more we resist!". Marhaen's brother was also seen following the proceedings.
Apart from his family, dozens of activists and lawyers who are members of the Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) also filled the courtroom. They wore pink scarves around their arms, while others spread them across their laps as a form of support.
Marhaen and three other defendants have been charged under multiple articles including Article 28 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 45A paragraph (2) of Law Number 11/2008 on Information and Electronic Transactions (ITE Law), as recently revised through Law Number 1/2024, in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) 1 of the Criminal Code (KUHP).
In addition to this, the prosecutor also applied Article 28 paragraph (3) in conjunction with Article 45A paragraph (3) of the ITE Law, Article 160 of the KUHP in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st KUHP, and Article 76H in conjunction with Article 15 in conjunction with Article 87 of Law Number 35/2014 on Child Protection.
"Or Article 76H in conjunction with Article 15 in conjunction with Article 87 of the Indonesian Republic Law Number 35/2014 on Amendments to Indonesian Republic Law Number 23/2002 on Child Protection in conjunction with Article 55 Paragraph (1) of the 1st KUHP", added Fajar [not specified in original].
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Jalani Sidang Perdana di PN Jakpus, Delpedro Bagi-bagi Mawar Pink ke JPU dan Hakim".]
