Jakarta — Several parties are calling for peaceful expression of aspirations, without anarchic actions that could harm the wider community. This appeal follows the unrest of demonstrations that have occurred in the capital over the past few days.
University of Indonesia (UI) Political Communication Expert, Aditya Perdana, assessed that President Prabowo Subianto’s swift move to invite interfaith figures and community organizations was the right decision to prevent escalation.
“The President’s swift response was the right thing to do, because this must be handled very seriously and with swift action,” he said in a television interview.
Aditya emphasized that demonstrations are indeed part of democracy. However, he warned that anarchic actions will only harm the public. “Ultimately, it’s the people who suffer because they can’t enjoy public facilities,” he said.
He also encouraged public officials to be careful in communicating in digital spaces and show empathy.
“Today, just apologizing isn’t enough; there must be concrete steps,” he stressed.
Calls for peace also came from online motorcycle taxi (ojol) drivers. On Tuesday (September 2nd), a number of drivers held a demonstration on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, distributing roses to security forces, the public, and the media.
The Public Relations Officer of the Ojol Rapid Reaction Unit (URC), Erna, said that this action was carried out as a form of concern over conditions that have a direct impact on drivers.
“We are motorcycle taxi drivers, we love peace. We are motorcycle taxi drivers looking for money, providing for our families. Over the past few days, everything has become unstable,” she said in the Monas area.
Erna added that the unrest has actually hampered drivers’ livelihoods.
“At night, our friends who were usually out hunting, ended up not being able to because they were told to go home,” he said.
He emphasized that all motorcycle taxi drivers support the government’s steps to resolve the Affan Kurniawan case and take action against those who provoked the riots.
“We want Jakarta to return to the way it was before. Full of lights… We want everything to return to normal, leaving home and returning home with good fortune for our families,” said Erna.****
