An Anoa 6x6 panzer is parked in an area around the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, Jakarta, on Monday (20/5/2019). A total of 50,000 officers will be deployed to a number of vital points and objects in Jakarta to help secure the capital city during the announcement of the 2019 election results on Wednesday, May 22, 2019.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Democracy such as that embraced in Indonesia gives everyone an equal opportunity to express their opinions in public. However, this must be done without violating any law or undermining national unity.In this context, it is hoped that the people will not be provoked into creating unnecessary tumult in response to the official announcement of the 2019 election winners by the General Elections Commission (KPU). The authorities are also urged not to act repressively toward those wishing to voice their aspirations publicly.
“Indonesia is a great nation with a noble culture, founded upon the principle of deliberating all problems together, among other things. Therefore, whatever problems we have, we must always prioritize our noble traditions [in resolving them],” Diponegoro University Yos Johan Utama said in Semarang, Central Java, on Monday (20/5/2019).
Yos Johan’s statement reflected the messages of peace conveyed by a number of university and college rectors in Central Java.
In reading out the message of peace by Makassar’s State and Private University Rectors, Hasanuddin University rector Dwia Aries Tina Pulubuhu said a united, sovereign, just and prosperous Indonesia was the collective dream of all Indonesians. Upholding unity and the spirit of kinship is an absolute prerequisite in achieving national sovereignty, justice and prosperity amid diversity.
“Differences of opinions and political stances must be dealt with properly, rationally and proportionately within the corridors of the law and in line with Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution. It is time to show the world that Indonesia is a strong and vast nation of leaders,” Dwia said.
The Assembly of State and Private Universities and Colleges in Surabaya and Madura made similar statements.
The statements were made in commemorating the 111th anniversary of the declaration of National Awakening and in response to current conditions related to the KPU’s upcoming announcement of the 2019 election winners.
ANTARA FOTO/ADAM WALUYO
Soldiers of the Raider Infantry Battalion 305/Tengkorak Brigif 17/Kostrad (Army Strategic Reserves Command) conduct a fast roping exercise during a security rally at the Monas compound in Jakarta on Monday (20/5/2019). TNI (Indonesian Military) soldiers from various units are to be deployed to a number of vital points and objects in Jakarta to help secure the capital city during the announcement of the 2019 election results on Wednesday, May 22, 2019.
Protests
Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said six groups had requested protest permits for May 22. At the same time, a joint military-police force had been readied to secure Jakarta ahead of the KPU’s official announcement of the election winners.
“Expressing an opinion in public is legally permitted, but we do have laws. Public order must not be disrupted and national unity must not be undermined,” Argo said.
National Sovereignty Front chair Gen. (ret.) Tyasno Sudarto and 107 retired military and police generals said that they hoped the military and the police would not act repressively toward those expressing their opinions publicly regarding the election results.
Separately, former Army chief of staff Gen. (ret.) Wismoyo Arismunandar said he was saddened by and deeply concerned about recent developments that could undermine unity and national dignity.
Wismoyo delivered a collective statement by retired generals in relation to the latest conditions surrounding the KPU’s announcement.
Army chief of staff Gen. Andika Perkasa said he would not deny his seniors the opportunity to express their opinions in public. He said he was confident that the military veterans would not teach their juniors to do bad things. “They are our seniors and our former commanders. I am confident that they are mature and that they have a conscience,” Andika said.
ANTARA FOTO/SIGID KURNIAWAN
TNI (Indonesian Military) soldiers participate in a security rally at the Monas compound in Jakarta on Monday (20/5/2019). Soldiers from various units are to be deployed to a number of vital points and objects in Jakarta to help secure the capital city during the announcement of the 2019 election results on Wednesday, May 22, 2019.
Pondok Buntet Islamic boarding school patron KH Adib Rofiuddin said in Cirebon, West Java, that he hoped the public would not be provoked by calls to create furor. “The losing side must accept [the result] and the winning side must not be arrogant. Let’s hold hands and together develop Indonesia into a safe and peaceful nation,” he said.
The katib syuriyah of the East Java chapter of Nahdlatul Ulama, Syafrudin Syarif, said the recent Bahtsul Masail forum of Nahdlatul Ulama East Java had ruled that there should not be any action to delegitimize the KPU and the election. (WAD/XTI/DIA/REN/BRO/SYA/IKI/DIT/SHR/NTA)
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