Eka Yudha Saputra, Devy Ernis – The decision by Pati Regent Sudewo to increase rural and urban land and building tax (PBB-P2) rates was met with a demonstration by thousands of residents on Wednesday August 13. The massive demonstration that ended in chaos was the result of Sudewo's arrogance in challenging his residents to demonstrate after rejecting complaints about the PBB-P2 increase.
And it was not just in Pati, but several other regions also increased PBB-P2 rates. For example, Semarang regency increased its PBB-P2 rate by 400 percent, while Bone regency increased it by 300 percent. In Cirebon and Jombang, the PBB-P2 rate even increased by 1,000 percent.
Trias Politika Executive Director Agung Baskoro said demonstrations like the one in Pati regency, Central Java, could spread to other areas if regional heads implement unpopular policies. "So this can serve as a warning to everyone not to do the same thing", Baskoro told Tempo on Wednesday.
According to Baskoro, the socio-demographics of voters are increasingly critical and literate in terms of politics and information. Therefore, the incident in Pati serves as a mitigating factor for officials in policymaking. He said the Pati demonstration also serves as a reminder to regional and central governments not to play around with public aspirations.
"Because if this comes to light, it's possible these incidents could spread to other regions, even to the national level", he said. This case sets a precedent for other regional heads to avoid arbitrary public policy decisions, including those related to land and property taxes.
Meanwhile, Paramadina University political communication lecturer Hendri Satrio believes that the case of regent Sudewo was not solely caused by the 250 percent increase in PBB-P2.
"But his style of challenging the public, saying that 50,000 people demonstrating is just fine. Just come. That's what then sparked unrest", Satrio told Tempo on Wednesday.
The executive director of KedaiKopi Survey Institute stated that President Prabowo Subianto's Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) was certainly harmed by the events in Pati. Just six months after his inauguration, Sudewo had already angered Pati residents. The thousands who demonstrated outside his office on August 13 demanded the Gerindra politician's resignation.
The demonstrations were sparked by the Pati regency government's policy of raising BPP-P2 by 250 percent which was rejected by the Pati community.
Instead of listening to his citizens' aspirations, Sudewo instead challenged them. In a widely circulated video, Sudewo declared he was unafraid despite facing a wave of massive demonstrations against his administration's PPB-P2 hike.
"Who will carry out this rejection? Please go ahead", said Sudewo as quoted from a short video circulating on social media.
Moreover Sudewo encouraged the public to mobilise more than just 5,000 protesters. He even challenged them to bring 50,000 people to demonstrate. "I won't change my decision, I'm still going forward", he said.
On August 7 Sudewo apologised for his earlier statement saying there was a miscommunication and that he had no intention of challenging his citizens to protest.
Sudewo even met with protesters at the Pati Square in front of his office on August 13 using a police tactical vehicle. "I apologise profusely", he said through a loudspeaker.
However, Sudewo was pelted with mineral water bottles and sandals. Security officers then protected him with shields and he had to get back into the car.
In conjunction with the action, on the same day the Pati Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) formed a special committee for the right of inquiry to impeach Sudewo.
The impeachment special committee was formed because Sudewo was deemed to have violated his oath and promise as regent. Several issues were questioned by DPRD members including Sudewo's decision to increase PBB-P2 by 250 percent.
The Pati DPRD consists of 50 members from eight political parties. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) holds the most seats in the DPRD, with 14. The Gerindra Party holds six seats in the council.
Sudewo has said he respects the DPRD's decision. "That's the DPRD's right to inquiry. So, I respect that right", he said at the Pati Regency Hall on August 13.
Gerindra Central Leadership Board Secretary General (Sekjen DPP) Sugiono has advised Sudewo to ensure his policies are considerate of the community and do not add to their burden.
"As Gerindra Party DPP Sekjen, I have also conveyed to Regent Sudewo to pay attention to the aspirations of the community so that the policies taken do not add to the burden on the community", said Sugiono in a written statement on Wednesday.
Sugiono also reminded people of Gerindra Chairperson Prabowo Subianto's message to all regional heads, which was that policies must always consider the impact on the most vulnerable people in their respective regions.
"Our party is a party that was born and grew because of this struggle", he said.
– Ervana Trikarina Putri, Hendrik Khoirul Muhid, Dani Aswara and Jamal Abdun Nashr contributed to writing this article
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Bisakah Demo Pati Meluas hingga Nasional?".]
Source: https://www.tempo.co/politik/bisakah-demo-pati-meluas-hingga-nasional--2058601
