Students, Workers Stage Protest Anew over Indonesia's Jobs Law

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Students and workers staged another round of rally, opposing the newly passed Jobs Creation Law near the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The protest — which coincided with President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo and Vice President Ma’ruf Amin’s first year in office — demanded that the authorities revise the jobs law, save the people’s sovereignty, and implement the practice of fair investment and democracy.

Kompas.com reporters at the scene reported that the student protesters arrived in the Arjuna Wihawa statue, just a few hundred meters from the State Palace, at around 9.10am.
The police then began to block the roads with barbed wire fences to keep vehicles from entering.

Also read: Indonesian Students to Gather Again Next Week to Protest Jobs Law

During the demonstration, the protesters collected coins to be given to the government. This symbolizes the funds for the government to boost investment as one of the aims of the Jobs Creation Law is to bring in foreign investment into the country.

They also burned tires before the rally was ended at 5.48pm. About 6,000 police officers were deployed to ensure the safety and security of the people during the protest.

The protesters have dispersed from the rally sites after the Central Jakarta 0501 Military District Commander Colonel Luqman Arief asked them to return to their respective homes.

“Don’t be anarchists. Your parents are waiting for you at home,” said Luqman.

Also read: Jokowi Works from Bogor Palace While Anti-Jobs Law Protest Rages in Jakarta

As the protesters dispersed the police then removed the barbed wire fences from the roads.

Jakarta Police Chief Inspector General Nana Sudjana said that the protesters were not allowed to approach the State Palace.

“Currently, there are [new] rules. The protesters can only gather at the Arjuna Wiwaha statue,” Nana told reporters on Tuesday.

“They want to meet with representatives from the Palace to convey their aspirations. So, we relay their message to the Office of Presidential Staff,” he said.

Last week, similar protests were held in Jakarta twice. The protests turned violent as protesters clashed with the police.

Source: Kompas.com