Tempo.Co, Petir Garda B, Jakarta – The police have arrested some perpetrators of the forced disruption of a diaspora discussion entitled National Diaspora Solidarity Meeting with National Figures and Activists held at Hotel Grand Kemang, Kemang South Jakarta, on Saturday, September 28, 2024. The perpetrators are charged with assault and vandalism.
The Head of the Public Information Bureau of the Public Relations Division of the Indonesian National Police, Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, confirmed the arrest. However, Truno did not elaborate on how many people have been arrested and what charges have been brought against the suspects.
"We have secured several perpetrators, more details will be provided by the Jakarta Metro Police," Trunoyudo said in an official statement received by Tempo on Sunday, September 29, 2024.
Trunoyudo instead urged the public to maintain public order and security to create a better democracy. Truno emphasized that freedom of speech is protected by the constitution.
The forced disruption of the discussion event held by the Forum Tanah Air or the Homeland Forum (FTA) was carried out by a group of people on Saturday. Suddenly, a group of youths entered the discussion room at Grand Kemang Hotel and caused a commotion.
In the video footage that circulated, a group of youths can be seen damaging the stage, taking banners, and even hitting tables and asking the attendees to disperse. The hotel security and police officers present seemed to allow the actions to take place.
The former Chair of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Abraham Samad, who also attended the event, regretted the discussion forum ending in chaos. According to him, the turmoil did not need to happen if the police on duty in front of the hotel had done proper security, including hotel security. "It's a hotel, it wouldn't be possible for them to enter if they had good security protocols," he said.
Samad admitted to having seen the group when he entered the hotel area. However, it didn't take long before they entered. The event was attended by around 50 diaspora and national figures.
Among the national figures present at the event were Former Chairman of Muhammadiyah Din Syamsuddin, Constitutional Law Expert Refly Harun, Director of Indonesia Resources Studies Marwan Batubara, and former Secretary of the Ministry of SOEs Said Didu. According to information obtained by Tempo, the perpetrators of the vandalism were only charged with assault, not violations of the Law.