By: Andre Halilintar) *
The polemic of the ratification of the Draft Law of the Indonesian Criminal Code (RUU KUHP) has drawn pros and cons in the community. The action triggered public and student demonstrations which often ended in anarchist action. The government rushed to take a position to immediately delay the ratification of the RKUHP.
The chaos of the demonstrations in several cities in Indonesia echoed the same aspirations namely, the protests of the Criminal Code Bill. The action that led to anarchism in several places was viral and shocked residents. The reason is that public security is also threatened. Nothing wrong with voicing various aspirations related to this revision. However, as good citizens, they should be able to refrain from being provoked and causing destruction.
Wiranto, as the Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security, Wiranto, said that the DPR would delay the ratification of several revisions of the law, including the Draft Criminal Code Bill which is currently being debated. Wiranto explained that if the DPR had drafted 8 draft laws and would be passed before the DPR period ended. However, the implementation encountered several obstacles and received various inputs from the community for the improvement process.
Wiranto said that 5 of the 8 bills would be postponed. He also stated that if there were 4 bills that were also postponed, one of which was the Criminal Code Bill. He added that other laws relating to the Criminal Code, Penitentiary, Land and Labor were clearly postponed. He asserted that this law was not arbitrary. In this regard, he confirmed that the President must listen to the people’s suggestions or aspirations. Because the rules do require a deeper study.
Therefore, the President decides if the Draft Penal Code, Land, Community and Labor must be postponed first. After previously Jokowi held a meeting with the leaders of the DPR and members of the DPR. If judging from these results, Wiranto considered that the demonstration was no longer relevant. Given the input and aspirations can be done in other ways. One of them is, dialogue with the DPR for the coming period or with the government.
President Jokowi also hopes that the ratification of a number of bills will be carried out by the Indonesian Parliament in 2019-2024. He also explained that his party had not planned to form a Perppu Related to the KPK Law. Wiranto appealed to undo the demonstration plan to reject the bill. Because this will only drain energy. On the other hand, people will experience anxiety and of course hamper public order. Given the number of incidents that occurred due to demonstrations which were considered irregular. Although as a way to convey aspirations, anarchist action is not justified.
It also may be subject to sanctions. After his meeting with Jokowi, the House of Representatives decided not to take a decision related to the ratification of the Criminal Code Bill at the plenary session. At least up to 3 times complete until the 30 September. Mulfachri Harahap as the Chairperson of the Working Committee of the Criminal Code Bill, does not deny that in the future there will be a lobbying forum between the government and the Indonesian Parliament, relating to the fate of the Criminal Code Bill. It also said it would monitor and see the results of the lobbying forum, until 30 September. Meanwhile the Indonesian Parliament will monitor what is likely to occur in the midst of the community.
Bambang Soesatyo, as the Speaker of the DPR RI added, that the meeting between the DPR leadership and the leaders of the DPR factions took place very smoothly, the issue regarding the RKUHP ratification would be carried out by the DPR according to the existing mechanism in the DPR institution. In spite of the proclamation of the postponement of the ratification of the Criminal Code Bill, demonstrators should be able to remain restrained from various shocks including provocation. A review of a rule will not necessarily produce results. So it is better to wait for all the aspirations that are accommodated and then processed by the Parliament and Government. The implication is that there are no more indications of the rule of law that seems “strange”. Which can just depart from everyday problems.
For the demonstrators, it seems that before taking to the streets, try to consult all aspirations through government institutions. Besides avoiding clashes, it will also create a safe atmosphere and conditions. Although it is not an easy matter, efforts and optimality as a form of community service can be raised from a positive mentality. Refrain from provocative issues that harm certainly would not hurt. But still must according to the rules. Considering that students as agents of change are a means of bridging the people to the government to channel their aspirations.
) * The author is a social political observer