2020 Indonesian protests against controversial law
The Indonesia omnibus law protests (previously known as omnibus bill protests and referred colloquially as the omnibus law protests or anti-omnibus law protests; ) were a series of demonstrations and civil disorder against Indonesia's Omnibus Law on Job Creation which was passed on 5 October 2020 as well as President Joko Widodo. Demonstrations had begun on 13 January 2020 while the then-bill, claimed by the government as vital to boosting the country's manufacturing industry and foreign investment, was still being drafted. Protesters were concerned with the law's impact on the protection of the environment and working conditions.
Background.
One of President Joko Widodo's goals is to increase investment and industrialization in Indonesia, with an annual per capita income of Rp. 320 million and a gross domestic product (GDP) of US$7 trillion by 2045. As such, a new regulation is needed to cut the "red tape" of the Indonesian investment climate. The new proposed draft titled RUU Cipta Kerja (Job Creation Bill) was fiercely opposed by environmentalists, labour unions, and many oppositions shortly after its publication. The first draft was proposed on 12 February 2020. It contained 15 chapters and 174 articles to be discussed by the People's Representative Council (DPR) during the 2020 National Legislation Program. The bill was passed on 5 October 2020.
Protests.
The law sparked protests, originating in Java in January 2020. Protesters are concerned that the law could hurt both workers, specifically that it "would harm workers by reducing severance pay, cutting mandatory leave, allowing longer work hours, and permitting the hiring of contract and part-time workers in place of full-time employees"; and the environment, specifically that it "would lead to the deforestation of forests that are essential in controlling carbon emissions and slowing climate change" according to environmentalists. Several labour unions say that the law should include representatives from labour unions and not just investors. The government says that the law could help Indonesia's fallen economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 8 October, at least 400 protesters have been detained, ranging from peaceful protesters to rioters.
Other than demanding for the law to be retracted, some protesters also demand Jokowi to resign out of office, calling current Indonesian politics a culprit. Other demonstrations also demands increase of 2021 minimal wage.
In August, a group of labourers across 20 provinces threatened to hold a more massive protest from 6 to 8 October if the law is not retracted. The group's leader states that health protocols will be implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and that via "The Jakarta Post", "Whether or not we succeed should be an afterthought. What’s important is that we fight." On 20 October, labourers plan on protesting again on 27 October at 1 pm with 5,000 students nationwide. However, there are no reported protests on the said date. As the last word, protests are planned to be conducted until 10 November, in which late October and early November will be a critical time, specifically with Widodo planned to sign and approve the law.
"Antara" reports that 145 of the 3,862 people detained as of 9 October have tested positive for COVID-19. The last major protest was on 1 May 2021 held by the Confederation of Indonesian Labour Unions (KSPI), Confederation of All-Indonesia Labour Unions (KSPSI), Farmer Union of Indonesia (SPI), and Indonesia Human Right Committee for Social Justice.
Java.
Since January, many protests in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, and Yogyakarta have been held in front of the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) buildings and elsewhere. On 6 October, labourers protested at the DPRD office. They complain that the law only benefits the politicians. On 7 October 2020, a clash between the police and protesters in Cikarang resulted in nine arrests. The police arrested two alleged anarchists on the way to join a demonstration in West Jakarta on 14 August; they had several Molotov cocktails on their hands and several books and stickers promoting or associated to anarchism.
The burning and overall destruction of properties were also seen in Jakarta, unprevented by the 2,500 police deployed by the National Police. Three police stations, Patung Kuda Arjuna Wiwaha, Tugu Tani, and Harmoni were burned and destroyed by rioters. The Grand Senen Theater was also burned, and the fire was fully extinguished at 22:00. Around 50% of the theatre is destroyed by the fire. School textbooks were also burned by students, along with six rukos and two vehicles. Police cars were also turned over. To make politicians aware of the National Farmer's Day, protesters set up scarecrows.
In Bandung, several people assaulted the guarding police. Bandung is also the first city to conduct a COVID-19 rapid test on the protesters. None had contracted the virus.
As a result of the massive mayhem, a toll road connecting Serang and Jakarta was closed for a day. The road leading to the DPR office was also closed, barricaded with barbed wires. This was thanks to the knowledge of authorities that a protest will be held. Several roads were also closed, which led to more fights with the police, although protesters there went home as time passed. In Jakarta, 398 tons of debris and trash were collected, overwhelming 1,100 workers and 12 road sweepers, and 50 garbage trucks. Bandung's streets were also closed. The 116 students who protested in Bekasi were arrested for one night at a police station. The next day they were fetched home by their mothers; all of them were instructed to kneel on their worried mom. Some cried while doing so.
Several police personnel were criticized for using excessive force on the protesters. It was reported that the police shot tear gas towards a group of protesters that were simply waiting for another group. Jakarta's police also said that they would not allow more protests due to the COVID-19 burden. A video recorded by the Associated Press (AP) showed a student collapsing three meters from a police barricade after a gunshot was heard. According to the "South China Morning Post" ("SCMP"), one student carried him away. His condition is still unclear.
A high-ranking police officer () told CNN Indonesia that Jakarta does not welcome protests, and protests are only allowed outside. He says that they will be enforcing citywide patrols to ensure no protests will be held anymore in Jakarta. This policy was initially suggested by General Idham Azis via a telegram letter. Lawbreakers may be arrested.
In response to a plan on mass protests on 27 October, 6,000 police were deployed in Jakarta. Medan Merdeka Barat Street is also temporarily closed. Protesters were warned by Minister of Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD to be cautious of any intruders.
Sumatra.
In Batam, a protest was held by workers and several labour unions. In Pekanbaru, protests occurred at the DPRD office. Police sprayed cannon water and tear gas. Roads were damaged too. Padang's DPRD office was also attacked. A protester forcing to get through the police barricades led to a series of rock fights. Protesters also burned tires. In the Bangka Belitung Islands, students held a peaceful protest in Pangkal Pinang. Meanwhile, in Jambi, protesters trespassed a fence and rushed to the city's DPRD office, destroying properties of it. Similar kinds of riots were also seen in Bandar Lampung. Victims were mostly police officers, with a protester rushed to Dadi Tjokrodipo Hospital due to neck injury, and 25 other protesters were treated in three different hospitals. News reports circulated that a student was shot; police called it "fake news" and urged people never to spread such news.
In Medan, riots occurred initially at the North Sumatran DPRD's office. Many threw various objects at the guarding police. Several roads also saw protests and riots. Some launched firecrackers, while others threw rocks and bamboo, which caused the DPRD office's glass to be damaged. To stop the riots, police threatened "Your parents are seeing these; people are recording this. Please stop, brothers, don't make trouble," as well as tear gasses and spraying waters using three vehicles. As protests calmed down, they continued, "Your future's a bright road ahead. Remember: This is Medan, our home." 7,000 personnel were deployed at the protest zone. Several stores were under attack as well; the stores immediately locked themselves down. Two police were injured by the rocks and bamboos. A total of 117 people were arrested. Many of the injured were rushed to Bhayangkara Hospital. Many of the protests ended in the evening.
Banda Aceh saw only peaceful protests and no riots. The protests were held during rainfall. The protesters, mostly college students, went to Aceh's DPRD office. Communication techniques include speeches, poems, and posters.
The only place where police expressed wills to abandon protests was Padang; this was due to Padang being a "red zone" of COVID-19.
Kalimantan.
In Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Aliansi Kaltim Melawan (The Fighter Alliance of East Kalimantan) and Rakyat Kaltim Untuk Indonesia (East Kalimantanese for Indonesia) blocked a road section to the province's DPRD building and pushed themselves to get inside the building, raising tension and forcing the local government to deploy 30 members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces. In South Kalimantan, students and labourers successfully occupied the DPRD building. As a result, the speaker of South Kalimantan DPRD agreed to support demonstrators' cause on rejecting the bill. In Central Kalimantan and North Kalimantan, protests also turned violent. In Pontianak alone, 32 people were arrested while in Banjarmasin, a man who wants to disperse the protesters was caught having a sharp weapon on his hand in the middle of the crowd.
Sulawesi.
On 16 July, a demonstration in Makassar turned into a riot, resulting in 37 being arrested by police, one of them a woman. In Gorontalo, police responded to riots with tear gas, wreaking more havoc. Several police officers also acted "provocative" according to the protest coordinator. Two protesters were hospitalized, six were arrested, and ten are lost. The police said that the protests were ended due to COVID-19 worries. In Palu and Kendari, riots also occurred. A video that shows police beating a student in front of a mosque went viral on Twitter, and three journalists are said to have experienced similar circumstances.
Despite heavy rain, protesters in Manado did not stop protesting. As protests heated up, six college students were arrested due to throwing rocks at Manado's DPRD office.
The protesters agreed to move their protesting site 20 meters away later. Firefighting trucks were present to disturb potential rioters on site. Only 10 people were allowed to enter the DPRD office to voice themselves for tranquillity. Six people were arrested.
Nusa Tenggara and Bali.
In Kupang on 22 July, a demonstration was held by students in front of the East Nusa Tenggara DPRD building. They waved the Indonesian flag and marched towards the building. Later, three students were arrested for throwing rocks against the police. A group of students sang the song "DPR Goblok," meaning "DPR Stupid." Some also designed a coffin and showed it off, as if the DPR members were inside the coffin. While in Bali, students and activists surrounded the DPRD building, pushing to get in while blocked by local police. Protesters were irritated by the tear gas sprayed by police. Police tried closing the road, but its huge usage by ambulances to Sanglah General Hospital forced them not to close them. Riots only occurred 1 hour after the regular protests. Demonstrations also occur on West Nusa Tenggara, resulting in the West Nusa Tenggara DPRD sending an aspiration letter to Jakarta for the law to be retracted.
Maluku.
Demonstrations were held in Ambon and Ternate against the omnibus law and demanding that the Elimination of Sexual Violence Bill be the nation's top priority. In Ambon, several college students broke into Maluku's DPRD office. Riots occurred for an hour. Several were arrested. The police said that they "thank" the students for "voicing their aspirations," saying that they will forward their messages to the government and the DPR in the form of a letter. In Ternate, North Maluku, riots occurred, and one journalist was injured. There were also destructions of property, with several rock fights between the protesters and the police. Tear gas did not stop the protesters from protesting, more so rioting. Several cops were "assaulted, kicked, and stabbed with traffic lights" according to a police officer. Two places in Ternate saw peaceful protests. Roads were closed. Several were arrested. In city of Tual, a protest also occurred and later successfully occupied the