National Police Explore Link Between Riot Groups

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Participants of a rally against the election results attack security officers in the front of the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) Office on Jalan MH Thamrin and Jalan Abdul Muis, Jakarta, Wednesday (22/5/2019). The rally ended in chaos.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The National Police are exploring the connection between the four groups suspected of organizing the riots that occurred during the post-election demonstrations on May 21 and May 22 in Jakarta. They are trying to track down the mastermind behind the plot.

National Police chief Gen. (Pol.) Tito Karnavian stressed that the arrest of hundreds of people, including the six suspects believed to have planned the foiled plot to assassinate four state officials, were undergoing the legal process. The police were ready to take the cases to court.

"We are working on exploring the possible ties between [the groups] that we have captured," Tito said on Tuesday (28/5/2019) at the Office of the Coordinating Politics, Law and Security Affairs Minister.

The National Police had earlier arrested four groups suspected of being linked to the May 21-22 riots. The first group, comprised of six suspects, allegedly planned to assassinate four state officials and a top official at a polling institution. Four people were suspected of being recruited to carry out the killings, while the two other suspects allegedly provided weapons to the four hit men.

The three other groups consist of 442 rioters who have been named as suspects, around 30 members belonging to terrorist groups who were arrested within the last month, and three people suspected of being involved in smuggling firearms from Aceh.

The National Police have also named two suspects in a treason case, Eggi Sudjana and Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Kivlan Zen. Kivlan, who are to be questioned on Wednesday at the National Police\'s criminal investigation department in Jakarta.

Suluh Kebangsaan Movement chair Mahfud M.D. expressed his support for the National Police (Polri) in uncovering all perpetrators who had planned the riots during last week’s demonstration.

"We support the TNI-Polri in maintaining security and order for the public’s safety. The safety of the nation and the state must be prioritized in solving these [cases]," Mahfud said at the office of the security affairs coordinating minister, referring to the Indonesian Military (TNI).

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The general public take pictures at the front of the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) office on Jalan MH Thamrin, Jakarta, after pedestrians were allowed to pass by on Monday (27/5/2019). Even though security officers still tightly guard areas around Bawaslu, people can cross the road in front of the agency.

Four officials

Tito also revealed the identities of the four officials targeted for assassination: Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto, Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, National Intelligence Agency (BIN) director Budi Gunawan, and Presidential Special Staff for Intelligence and Security Gories Mere.

In light of the assassination plot, personal security had been tightened for all four targeted officials by increasing their security detail. Security had also been heightened for Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko.

"[My] security was heightened because many circles reminded [me of the matter]. At the beginning of the post-election riots, I ignored the issue because of the risk of the assignment," said Moeldoko.

‘Hoax spreaders’ arrested

The National Police have also arrested 10 suspects in the past week for spreading hoaxes and hate speech on social media. According to Wiranto, attempts to influence public opinion by accusing and blaming security forces of acting arbitrarily in controlling the mass action had emerged following the demonstration.

Wiranto stated that security personnel acted defensively in managing the rioters. The National Police fact-finding team was also investigating allegations that several police officers did not act in accordance with proper procedures.

Meanwhile, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has formed an independent team to investigate the May 21-22 riots.

KOMPAS/SHARON PATRICIA

Head of the National Police Public Relations Division Insp. Gen. Mohammad Iqbal shows a Revolver Taurus Call .38 firearm, which was believed to be obtained by a suspect, identified as HK, to kill high-ranking state officials.

Komnas HAM commissioner Choirul Anam said that the team involved community leaders who had the appropriate expertise and experience. The team would fully investigate the event in accordance with human rights principles.

"If many [investigative] teams are formed and each acts alone, this is actually good. So we will have many points of view about the events of May 21-22," he said. (SAN/SHR/EDN/NTA)