Komnas HAM Urges Probe Into Ormas Role in Post-Protest Riot

Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission has asked Jakarta police to examine whether mass organizations were involved in the riot that followed a protest outside the DPR/MPR complex on Aug. 27.

Saurlin P. Siagian, a Komnas HAM commissioner for monitoring and investigation, said the commission had coordinated with Polda Metro Jaya over the case. Police have begun investigating the death of one victim, he said.

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We ask Metro Jakarta Police to conduct a deeper investigation.

Police have named 45 suspects among hundreds of people detained after the unrest. Authorities allege that suspects damaged public facilities, assaulted people and property, used group violence in public, caused disorder and carried bladed weapons.

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We will continue monitoring the people who have currently been named suspects. We will identify them one by one.

Komnas HAM said it would monitor each suspect. “We will continue monitoring the people who have currently been named suspects. We will identify them one by one,” Siagian said. The commission also called for the release of anyone not involved in the riot, while urging further action against those linked to the violence.

Polda Metro Jaya is separately examining the suspected involvement of mass organizations. GRIB has denied being a source of the unrest.

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Those who are not connected to the riot should indeed be released. But those connected to the riot, I think, also need to be pursued.