Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – A female participant in the May Day rally was reportedly harassed by police officers attempting to apprehend her during the commemoration of International Labor Day in front of the Parliament Building on May 1, 2025.

"There were words used to insult my daughter, such as 'lonte' and 'pukimak'," stated the victim's mother, Erina Butar-Butar, on Friday, May 9, 2025.

In addition to verbal abuse, the victim was also allegedly subjected to physical violence by the police, which her mother suggests could have led to sexual assault. These actions reportedly included pulling and damaging the victim's undergarments.

Erina expressed her disapproval of the police's treatment of her daughter. She questioned the security procedures employed by the Jakarta Metropolitan Police. "Do the police have daughters? Is there such a police standard operating procedure?" Erina asked.

The victim is now known to be one of a total of 13 rally participants who have been designated as suspects by the police. However, Erina claimed that her daughter has not yet received an official summons as a suspect.

"There is no suspect letter, but an order to start the investigation has been received," Erina told Tempo.

According to Alif Nurwidiastomo, a public attorney from LBH Jakarta (Legal Aid Institute Jakarta), the suspect status was given because the police accused the rally participants of resisting officers and disobeying their orders. The police also stated that the suspects did not immediately leave the protest location after being warned by the officers.

"Three people are charged under Articles 216 and/or 218 of the Criminal Code. Meanwhile, 10 people are charged under Articles 212 and/or 216 and/or 218 of the Criminal Code," explained Alif.

These 13 individuals are now preparing to undergo further questioning next week as suspects. "The summoning of the suspects is divided into two days. On the 14th, seven people will be questioned, and on May 15th, six people will be questioned," stated Alif.

Tempo attempted to obtain confirmation regarding the suspect designations from Sr. Comr. Reonald Simanjuntak, the Head of the Public Information Subdivision of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police. However, a message sent via WhatsApp was only read without a response.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2005712/may-day-protesters-reportedly-faced-harassment-by-polic