Jakarta – Scores of people in black T-shirts calling themselves the ‘98 Activists National Consolidation (RNA 98) shouted “arrest Prabowo” during a protest action in front of the National Police Criminal Investigation Bureau (Bareskrim Polri) in Jakarta on the afternoon of Wednesday May 29.
The 50 or so people wearing wore black T-shirts with the “‘98 Activists National Consolidation” (Rembug Nasional Aktivis 98) written on them.
Led by an unidentified man, they began half singing and shouting for the police to arrest Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) chairperson and loosing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto.
“Arrest... Arrest... Arrest Prabowo... Arrest Prabowo Now”, they shouted repeatedly accompanied by the rhythm of clapping hands in front of the Awaloedin Djamin building at Bareskrim Polri on Jl Trunojoyo in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.
A man who appeared to be the speaker for the group said that the RNA 98 intends to report Prabowo and his colleagues as the masterminds behind the May 21-22 election riots in Jakarta.
The colleagues referred to by the RNA 98 include Prabowo supporters Titiek Soeharto, Neno Warisman, Amien Rais, Kivlan Zen and Fadli Zon.
They also called on National Police Chief (Kapolri) General Tito Karnavian not to be afraid of prosecuting them. If this does not happen, the RNA 98 claimed it was ready to attack Kertanegara, referring to Prabowo’s private residence in South Jakarta.
“The Kapolri is an active general, Prabowo meanwhile is a retired [army general], so don’t be afraid. If you don’t [prosecute him], we’ll attack Kertanegara”, said the man wearing black sunglasses.
A short time later they tried to enter the Awaloedin Djamin building to submit their report against Prabowo.
Three mobile brigade (Brimob) officers wearing all black, flak jackets, tactical helmets and armed with assault rifles arrived at the location.
The three then entered the Awaloedin Djamin building and stood guard at the glass doors. The distance between them and the RNA 98 group was less than two metres.
According to another police officer who was on guard, the arrival of the three Brimob officers was in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOP) because of the large size of RNA 98 group.
The worst case scenario was the possibility that the group would riot. “It was normal security. In accordance with SOP, on guard in case of riots”, said a police officer who declined to give their name.
As of posting this report, it is not know whether or not the RNA 98 report against Prabowo was accepted by the police.
Notes
The group RNA 98, which is made up of former reformasi activists who have actively campaigned for winning presidential candidate President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, had earlier planned to send a 5,000-strong crowd to the General Elections Commission headquarters in Central Jakarta on May 21 to guard it before the announcement of the official election result the next day. According a May 20 article by Tribune, the group claimed that they were instructed to do so directly by Widodo.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “ Datangi Mabes Polri, Rembug Nasional Aktivis ‘98 Teriakan Tangkap Prabowo”.]
