Can organizations involved in protest unrest lose their permits? Deputy minister explains

Indonesia’s government has not received official information linking any civic organization to the unrest that followed a protest on August 27, Deputy Home Affairs Minister Bima Arya Sugiarto said.

Bima said any action must follow legal procedures and rely on clear data. “What is important is, first, the legal process. Second, what the data shows. And third, that it is in accordance with the duties and authorities,” he said on September 1 after a meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs.

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What is important is, first, the legal process. Second, what the data shows. And third, that it is in accordance with the duties and authorities.

He explained that the Home Affairs Ministry has authority over organizations registered with it. Legally incorporated organizations fall under the Law Ministry’s jurisdiction. “At the Home Affairs Ministry, our authority concerns registered organizations. Legally incorporated organizations are under the Law Ministry. So registered organizations are our responsibility,” Bima said.

Bima also rejected any suggestion that a permit or organizational status could be withdrawn automatically. Authorities must first prove that an organization violated the state ideology, the constitution or other legal provisions. He said the ministry was monitoring media reports but had not received an official notification about organizations allegedly involved in the unrest.

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At the Home Affairs Ministry, our authority concerns registered organizations. Legally incorporated organizations are under the Law Ministry. So registered organizations are our responsibility.