Adhyasta Dirgantara, Jessi Carina, Jakarta – The wave of protest actions against revisions to the TNI Law (UU TNI) are continuing to occur in a number of regions in Indonesia. The demonstrations are being held by those who reject this new TNI Law despite the fact that the revisions were ratified by the House of Representatives (DPR) last week.
For example, in Malang a demonstration against the TNI Law ended in chaos, and some people have even been reported missing. In addition to this, demonstrations in Surabaya have seen riots with protesters throwing Molotov cocktails at police.
Demonstrations everywhere
A protest action against the revised TNI Law in the East Java city of Malang ended in in chaos on Sunday evening, March 23.
The protesters, who had gathered in front of the Malang City Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) building, were involved in a clash with the security forces and caused a fire by throwing Molotov cocktail bombs.
According to a press release by the People's Voice Alliance (ASURO), a number of protesters were injured during the incident.
As of 9.25 pm there were an estimated six to seven demonstrators who were rushed to the hospital due to their injuries. In addition to this, contact with around 10 protesters has been lost while three others had been secured by police.
The chaos also resulted in injuries among security forces. Malang City Municipal Police (Polresta) Public Relations Section Head, Second Police Inspector Yudi Risdiyanto, confirmed that seven officers were injured during the clash.
"Yes, that's correct, there were seven personnel injured. Consisting of six police officers and one TNI member", Risdiyanto said when sought for confirmation on Sunday evening.
Thus, the total number of injured from both parties was around 14 people.
Then, in the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya, at least 25 demonstrators were arrested by the police during a protest action against the TNI Law at the Grahadi State Building (governor's office) on Monday March 24.
The demonstration began heating up at around 4 pm when police officers began to approach the demonstrators.
Several police officers wearing uniforms and others in civilian clothing arrested and took a number of demonstrators into the Grahadi Building.
The police continued to make arrests as the protesters began to retreat towards Jalan Pemuda. Following this, dozens of people gathered at the eastern side of the Grahadi Building.
With regard to this, Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) Surabaya Coordinator Fatkhul Khoir said that a total of around 25 protesters were arrested.
"Meanwhile we recorded that at the Mapolrestabes [Metropolitan District Police Headquarters] (Surabaya) there are 25 people. But not all of their identities have been detailed, we have only successfully identified two", Khoir said when sought for confirmation on Monday.
"We were able to coordinate with the investigators, but haven't' been given access to enter because there is no power of attorney", he added.
Is there still hope?
So, how should the government behave in response to the wave of opposition against the TNI Law?
Constitutional law expert Feri Amsari emphasised that President Prabowo Subianto could actually make a special effort to address the wave of opposition from the public towards the TNI Law. Amsari said that Prabowo could issue a Presidential Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perppu) to revoke the TNI Law.
"Of course the president could make a special effort to annul the provisions of the law. The President could issue a Perppu to revoke the UU TNI", said Amsari when contacted by Kompas.com on Tuesday March 25.
According to Amsari, it is important for Prabowo to show that he cares about the wider public. He is asking Prabowo to listen to this massive expression of public will.
"Now, it's important to show that the president cares, and indeed forced militaristic ideas not occur because of listening to the public will", he added.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Gelombang Penolakan Tak Kunjung Padam, Masih Bisakah UU TNI Dibatalkan?".]
