Executive Office of the President

The Executive Office of the President has expressed regret at how a demonstration against the New Autonomous Region (DOB) in front of the Ministry of Home Affairs office in Jakarta, on Friday (11/3) turned violent. The peaceful protest turned chaotic after student demonstrators clashed with security forces, causing one police officer to be injured.

“Please channel your aspirations because this is a democratic country. But all forms of violence will not be tolerated and any violent actions shall face legal consequences,” said Deputy Chief of Staff Jaleswari Pramodawardhani, at the Bina Graha building, Jakarta, Friday (11/3).

As previously reported, the Head of Intelligence Officer of the Central Jakarta Metro Police, a senior adjunct police commissioner (AKBP) Ferikson Tampubolon was allegedly beaten by a demonstrator until he bled and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment.

The freedom of speech given by the state does not necessarily mean allowing any action of violence and physical abuses during a mass protest.

Jaleswari considered that the use of violence against the police who persuasively demanded the protestors from taking a protest near the first ring zone of the State Palace had tarnished the purpose of the protest. “It also coincided with the Friday prayer time,” said Jaleswari.

On that occasion, Jaleswari said that the New Autonomous Region (DOB) policy in the provinces of Papua and West Papua was based on the aspirations of the people who wish for equal distribution of development and services in the easternmost provinces.

So far, the public services and infrastructure have only been concentrated in the provincial capitals of Papua and West Papua.
“With the new autonomous region policy, it will be possible for the government to build public service centers in the new capital cities, removing obstacles related to time-spent, distance and travel costs,” said Jaleswari.

Jakarta – The Executive Office of the President (KSP) stands to support the Religious Affairs Ministry in issuing a ministerial regulation on the prevention and handling of sexual violence in religious-based educational institutions. It was part of the government commitment to eliminate sexual violence, especially in educational institutions, said Deputy Chief of Staff for Human Development of KSP Abetnego Tarigan.

“There is an urgency to encourage the Ministerial Regulation on the Elimination of Sexual Violence in every education units under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. It is based on the fact that sexual violence also occurs in religious-based schools,” said Abetnego during a meeting with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Jakarta, Wednesday (12/1).

This regulation came as a response towards the rise of sexual violences in religious-based schools. The recent rape and impregnation of 12 students at the Manarul Huda Islamic Boarding School Foundation and the Madani Islamic Boarding School in Bandung, West Java, has prompted calls for a national reckoning on rape culture.

“KSP pays attention to national priority programs and strategic issues. Therefore, KSP is ready to support the Ministry in formulating the regulation and to bridge the public communication regarding the matter,” continued Abetnego.

Earlier on December 27, the Director General of Islamic Education Muhammad Ali Ramdhani said that the Ministry of Religious Affairs would soon draft the regulation and it was expected to be completed in early 2022.

“It is currently in the process of being drafted at the Directorate General of Islamic Education. We wish KSP and other related ministerial offices/institutions will help to supervise the making process of the regulation,” said the Secretary General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Nizar Ali.

Meanwhile, sexual violence issue has become one of KSP’s major attention. Since the beginning of last year, KSP has initiated a task force to accelerate the issuance of Sexual Violence Eradication bills (RUU PKS).