Nurpini Aulia Rapika, Ambaranie Nadia Kemala Movanita, Jakarta – A demonstration by the United Pati People's Alliance (AMPB) in front of the House of Representatives (DPR) building in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Thursday August 27, ended with the promise they had been waiting for.
After hours of expressing their aspirations, representatives from the AMPB protesters were finally received by the DPR leadership for an audience.
During the meeting, they received a commitment that the Asset Confiscation Bill (RUU) would be completed no later than December 15, 2026. The written commitment was then brought out and read out to the protesters before they decided to disperse.
AMPB meets DPR leadership
One of the most interesting moments occurred when Pati activist Supriyono, also known as Botok, was allowed into the Nusantara II Building to meet with the DPR leadership.
Botok entered with several AMPB representatives, escorted by DPR security personnel. He wore a black hat and a T-shirt with an image of Indonesia's national symbol the Garuda Bird covered in bandages with the Javanese inscription "Aku Terno Suntik Awakku Loro Kabeh", meaning "Give me an injection, my whole body hurts".
Botok said that he and representatives of the protesters would convey the people's aspirations directly to the DPR leadership. "Yes, I hope the aspirations of the Indonesian people will be realised", he said.
Written commitment
During the hearing, AMPB representatives urged the DPR leadership to go beyond verbal promises. They requested an integrity pact or letter of commitment regarding the completion of the Asset Confiscation Bill.
Botok said that such a commitment is crucial as a form of accountability from the DPR leadership to the public.
"For example, if it's not realised by that date, if it is withdrawn again on the grounds of A, B, C, D, E, F, G, we ask for the consequences of your responsibility, for example, sorry, Pak [Mr Sufmi] Dasco [Ahmad] yes, he's ready to resign, Pak Saan Mustopa is also ready to resign, and Pak Cucun [Ahmad Syamsurijal] is also ready to resign if what's in the minutes, the agreement isn't realised", said Botok referring to three of the House deputy speakers.
December 15 deadline
After the hearing, Botok and representatives of the AMPB members exited the parliament building and were immediately greeted by a roaring crowd.
He then climbed onto the command vehicle with DPR Commission VI Deputy Chairperson Andre Rosiade. Before the crowd, Botok read out the document signed by the DPR leadership.
In the document, the DPR stated that the Asset Forfeiture Bill is one of the important legislative agendas in strengthening the eradication of corruption and the recovery of assets obtained from crime.
The point that captured the crowd's attention most was the commitment to complete the bill in December.
"Third, the DPR is committed to completing the Asset Forfeiture Bill by December 15, 2026", Botok said reading out the document.
The document even stated that the DPR leadership is ready to resign if the Asset Forfeiture Bill is not passed in a House plenary session by December 15.
"Fourth, the DPR leadership declares their readiness to resign from their positions as leaders or members of the DPR if the bill is not passed in a DPR plenary session by December 15, 2026!", Botok continued.
Four months too long
Despite receiving a written commitment, not everyone was immediately satisfied. Several protesters felt that the time limit of December 15 was still too long. They demanded that deliberations on the Asset Confiscation Bill be accelerated.
"Too long, Pak! Other [laws] can get [passed] suddenly, fuel prices go up secretly and quickly, this must be done quickly too", shouted one of the protesters.
Botok however asked the crowd to continue to monitor the commitment. According to Batok, four months was not a long time compared to the wait for the Asset Confiscation Bill, which has been more than a decade.
"Ladies and gentlemen, yesterday we had more than 10 years without any certainty, today it's only four months. Don't you accept that? Therefore, no matter what we will monitor it", shouted Botok.
DPR opens space for AMPB
Andre Rosiade, who was also on the command vehicle, confirmed that the DPR leadership had agreed to the target.
"You were received earlier by the DPR leadership. Your aspirations have been conveyed, and the DPR leadership has signed [a document stating that] if the Asset Forfeiture Law is not passed by December 15, 2026, the DPR leadership will resign", asserted Rosiade.
Rosiade also said that the AMPB is welcome to participate in overseeing the bill's deliberations.
"Secondly, during the discussion, it was also conveyed that you are invited to provide information and input so that we can work together with Commission III to discuss the Asset Forfeiture Bill", said the politician from President Prabowo Subianto’s Greater Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party.
Protesters disperse
After hearing the results of the hearing and the written commitment from the DPR leadership, the AMPB protesters finally decided to leave the DPR building.
Based on Kompas.com's monitoring, the protesters from Pati began to gradually leave the location in an orderly manner at around 12.30 pm. The decision to leave was made after Botok read the DPR leadership's commitment letter to the crowd at around 11.55 am.
"Those from Padi are going home first", said one of the protesters. "Thank you everyone", continued another protester.
Although they dispersed the AMPB emphasised that their struggle was not over. Botok reminded the crowd to uphold the DPR leadership's promises until the agreed deadline. He even threatened to hold another demonstration if the Asset Confiscation Bill was not passed as promised.
"There are two choices: pass the law, or together we'll drag the House members out of the DPR building! We will come here to ensure whether the DPR leadership will be dragged out or the law is enacted. Thank you", said Botok.
Carrying the letter of commitment, the AMPB protesters finally left the DPR building and returned to their hometowns in Central Java.
For the AMPB however, the August 27 demonstration have not ended. They now set a new deadline of December 15 to resume protest actions if the demands that were brought to this demonstration are not met by the deadline that has been set.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Dari Pati ke Senayan, Botok Cs Pulang Membawa Janji Sahkan RUU 15 Desember".]
