Jakarta – The Civil Society Coalition and the Indonesian Academic Alliance of Concern have responded to a speech by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto regarding the situation that has triggered large demonstrations in a number of regions since last week.
In a press release, the Indonesian Civil Society Coalition said that Prabowo's statements when he was accompanied by political party leaders last weekend still did not touched the issues that triggered the public's anger resulting in demonstrations occurring all over the country.
Therefore, the coalition is urging the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) to understand the problems that triggered these demonstrations.
"Civil society urges the government and the DPR to understand these structural problems correctly and precisely, do not close [your ears] and divert attention, and provide false or misguided solutions", said Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Chairperson Muhammad Isnur representing the coalition in a press release on Monday September 1.
The Coalition, which has been assisting the public directly, conducting research, public education and criticising the course taken by the government and the state, see the public's anger as an accumulation of various problems that lead to a waste of public money and corrupt actions in the interests of state officials in the midst of people's difficulties.
The problems that occurred include salary arrangements and allowances for state officials, members of the DPR, directors and commissioners of state-owned enterprises (BUMN) that are very high and very far from the average income of the ordinary people.
Budget efficiency measures and reckless taxes have made it difficult for the people, then the theft and destruction of people's living space that occurs systematically through government or investment projects.
Then, the Coalition is of the view that the president and the leaders of political parties also failed to understand the savage acts of repression and brutality by the state apparatus in dealing with demonstrations. The president did not even convey a correction or order to guarantee freedom of expression according to international human rights standards, namely the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
"This is not just a matter of the statements by DPR members who did not show empathy for the people's suffering due to policies that are not pro-people, so the solution is to only deactivate members of the DPR from various parties", said Isnur.
Furthermore, the Coalition believes that the president also did not acknowledge the demands for justice by the people and for the reform of the Indonesian police as a condition to move forward and changes to ensure respect for and protection of the public.
"Prabowo instead headed in the direction of new repression by saying that demonstrators were perpetrators of treason and terrorism, obviously this endangers the entire nation and the lives of the Indonesian people", said Isnur.
"The president should form an independent team led by the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) and involving independent institutions as well as experts and representatives of civil society groups to uncover the truth behind the allegations of violence and the riots that occurred", he continued.
Call by alliance of academics
Separately, during an online press conference, the Indonesian Academic Alliance of Concern delivered a strong call to the government to overhaul all policies and stop repression amid the waves of demonstrations that have spread to various regions over the last few days.
The alliance believes that the demonstrations that have occurred are an accumulation of public disappointment in government policies and the DPR's activities that do not side with the ordinary people.
Alliance coordinator Professor Sulis Sulistyowati Irianto from the University of Indonesia Faculty of Law (FHUI) said that the current multidimensional crisis was increasingly worrying.
"A wide gap can be seen between the elite organisers of the state and its people. Under a constitutional state, state administrators must be subject to the law. But what has happened is that the elite actually strengthen their power by changing the law, formulating various policies and budget allocations along with reallocating the state budget in the interest of power", he said at the press conference on Monday afternoon.
They believe that the increase in the DPR members' allowances that triggered the wave of protests was just one concrete example of elitist policies that are far removed from social justice. According to Irianto, the people have long been burdened with policies that are not based on scientific data and society's needs.
"Conditions like this make people begin to lose trust, lose hope and be angry. It's inevitable if this situation gives birth to protests and running amuck. It's not impossible that chaos will occur", he said.
The alliance consists of academics of various universities in Indonesia such the University of Indonesia (UI), the Gajah Mada University (UGM), the Padjadjaran University (Unpad), the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB), the Christian University of Indonesia (UKI), the Sam Ratulangi University (Unsrat), the Sriwijaya University (Unsri) and the Hasanuddin University (Unhas).
Seven steps to restore situation
In its statement, the Indonesian Care Academic Alliance urged the government to immediately take seven steps to restore the situation through seven main points:
Restructuring the cabinet and state officials to be slim, efficient, competency-based and not selected based on political interests.
Review poorly targeted budget policies, including rejecting excessive taxes burdening the people and reviewing excessive facilities for state officials.
Correct legal instruments and instant policies that are ridden with political interests and prioritise the ratification of the Asset Seizure Bill.
Eradicate corruption and gratification as an extraordinary crime that deprives the people of their rights.
End repressive actions against the civil society movement, as well as ensuring that the authorities only crack down on infiltrators that trigger anarchy.
End the practice of giving political awards to members of the president's circle of power which reduces the symbol state honours.
Prevent racial discrimination and gender-based violence.
According to the academic alliance, if the government does not immediately respond to the demands of the people with concrete steps, public protests have the potential to continue to spread.
The alliance also highlighted the government's response to civil society and student actions. They believe that protests that have actually been voicing the genuine needs of the people have often been rewarded with excessive action.
"The civil society and student movement whose aim is to purely convey the reality and needs of the people is excessively responded to in the form of repressive actions, labelled as an anarchist and foreign funded", he continued.
In addition, said Irianto, the alliance protests the allegations of violations of press freedom and expression that fight for the voices of the people. "Silencing the media and freedom of expression of citizens has also occurred through various forms", he said.
Earlier, on Sunday August 31, after inviting the heads of the political parties in parliament to the Presidential Palace, Prabowo responded to the series of demonstrations and chaos that have done the rounds over the last few days in concert with the wave of public protests against various problems in Indonesia.
The press conference with the political party leaders was the second time Prabowo has spoken to the public about the situation related to the death of motorcycle taxi driver (ojol) Affan Kurniawan, who was run over by a paramilitary police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) tactical vehicle during a demonstration near the DPR on August 28.
Prabowo gave assurances that the government would respond to the aspirations of the people wisely and openly. He also stated that the DPR would revoke a number of policies for members, including large allowances and working visits abroad.
Prabowo also asked government ministries and institutions to accept representatives of the people who want to convey criticism and aspirations. He emphasised that the government would listen to the aspirations of the people.
Therefore, he hopes that the conveying of aspirations will be carried out peacefully and according to regulations. Not only that, Prabowo said there were signs of treason and terrorism in the situation over the last few days in Jakarta and several other cities in Indonesia.
"However we cannot deny that we have begun to appear sighs of actions outside the law, even against the law, some even leading to, leading to treason and terrorism", said Prabowo.
Prabowo said that the conveying of aspirations and freedom of assembly was regulated by Indonesian law and United Nations conventions. However, riots and looting are violations of the law. He appealed to the public to express their aspirations in a good way. Prabowo guaranteed that all aspirations will be heard. (ryn/kay/kid)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Respons Prabowo, Koalisi Sipil Dorong Pahami Masalah dengan Benar".]
