Kompas - September 22, 2007.
Jakarta — Around 50 members of the Poor People’s
Alliance (ARM) demonstrated in front of the Jakarta
Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) building on
Friday September 21 against the imposition of bylaw
on public order. The protest that was joined by some
20 transsexuals represented ongoing opposition by
poor people’s groups against the controversial
bylaw.
Marlo Sitompul from ARM’s public relations
department said that the bylaw will bring further
suffering to the poor living in Jakarta. Moreover
many of those who work in the informal sector will
be prohibited from doing so such as street peddlers,
street traders and buskers.
"The pubic order bylaw indicates the tendency of
those in power to go to war against the poor. The
bylaw will also provide opportunities for Jakarta
government officials to commit violence in public
order operations", said Sitompul.
The protesters demanded that the DPRD withdraw their
support for the bylaw. They also called on DPRD
members to hold a dialogue, but not one member was
prepared to meet with the demonstrators.
Sitompul said that they would continue to
demonstrate demanding the revocation of the bylaw.
Poor community organisations would also be mobilised
to demonstrated on a large scale during the
inauguration of Jakarta governor elect Fauzi Bowo on
October 7.
If there is still no response, said Sitompul, ARM
would visit the minister of home affairs to seek the
revocation of the bylaw. The bylaw has to obtain the
approval of the home affairs minister before it can
be applied.
Responding to the demonstration, the head of the
Jakarta City Public Order Office (Dinas Tramtib)
Harianto Badjoeri said that the bylaw was had been
drafted over a period of three years and obtained
input from various social groups. The bylaw on pubic
order is being brought into force because of the
increasingly complex social problems in Jakarta.
Badjoeri said that his office is ready to uphold the
bylaw after it has been approved by the minister of
home affairs. Dinas Tramtib is also preparing full
security for the governor and deputy governor elect
during their inauguration.
"Those parties planning to demonstrate should think
again because the new governor was elected directly
by the people. Demonstrations during the
inauguration will not only be confronting city
public order officials, but also those social groups
that support Fauzi Bowo", said Badjoeri. (ECA)
Urban poor protest new bylaw on public order
Detik.com - September 21, 2007
Nadhifa Putri, Jakarta — A transvestite made up in
garish dress joined with buskers demonstrating at
the Jakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD)
against the draft bylaw on pubic order that has
attracted so much controversy.
The demonstration, which was also joined by some 20
street peddlers and buskers was held in front of the
DPRD building on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan in
Central Jakarta on Friday September 21.
The transvestite, who was wearing dark sunglasses, a
black blouse and trousers with garish makeup could
be seen enthusiastically shouting "The provincial
government doesn’t care about poor communities!".
The buskers meanwhile continued to sing accompanied
with by drums.
The protesters also unfurled a banner with the
writing "The Provincial Government-DPRD-Political
Parties are fascist and anti-poor“and”Reject the
anti-poor bylaw".
Marlo Sitompul, the general chairperson of the Urban
Poor Union (SRMK) said that the public order bylaw
only sides with the interest of the business class
but fails to address the interests of the middle
class.
"We will be hit by its impact like traders, so [we]
won’t be able to seek an income. We will continue to
hold actions. If this bylaw is ratified there will
be conflict and it will give rise to ongoing
strife", said Sitompul in a speech.
Sitompul called on the DPRD to discuss the issue and
seek a solution. (aan/nrl)