Amid the widespread condemnation over the job creation bill, it is expected that the government remains open to dialogue on the legislation.
By
KOMPAS TEAM
·5 minutes read
AFP/BAY ISMOYO
A fire at a bus station is seen during clashes between activists and police on the last day of a three-day nationwide strike against a controversial new law which critics fear will favour investors at the expense of labour rights and the environment, in Jakarta on October 8, 2020.
Amid the widespread condemnation over the job creation bill, it is expected that the government remains open to dialogue on the legislation. At the same time, the public should refrain from violence in the expressing their aspirations.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Room for dialogue is badly needed over the omnibus bill on job creation that the House of Representatives (DPR) has approved for passing into law. Open communication between the various parties the law concerns is an urgent need amid the surge in demonstrations against the bill, such as the rallies that took place in several regions on Thursday (8/10/2020).
Professor Azyumardi Azra of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University in Jakarta said yesterday that President Joko Widodo, as the initiator of the job creation bill, should invite the relevant parties to a dialogue. These invitees should include labor leaders and representatives of Islamic organizations, as well as lecturers and professors who oppose the bill’s endorsement.
“It is necessary to hold dialogue with [these parties], because there is a lack of public trust,” said Azyumardi.
The National Police chief should instruct all policemen deployed in riot control and management to maintain public safety and security in a controlled and measured way.
He also appealed to those leading the demonstrations to control their participants to avoid anarchic acts. Anarchic actions would only end with the destruction of public facilities and harm society. On the other hand, the police should not use excessive force. The National Police chief should instruct all policemen deployed in riot control and management to maintain public safety and security in a controlled and measured way.
The call to open the broadest possible room for dialogue also came from Abdul Mu’ti, the general secretary of the Muhammadiyah central board. Abdul said that the government must understand the people’s mental state and their disappointment.
K.H. Said Aqil Siroj, the general chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama central board (PBNU), said that the job creation bill should be viewed critically, but that any criticisms should be conveyed with grace.
“Let us find a graceful way out that is balanced and tawassuth [moderate],” he said.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister M.D. emphasized that no government ever desired to torment its people. In a statement that was signed by Mahfud, the Home Minister, the State Intelligence Agency head, the Indonesian Military commander and the National Police chief, the government said that it respected freedom of opinion and the expression of aspirations, as long as public order was not disrupted.
AFP/WAHYUDI
People stand next to an overturned police car during a nationwide strike against a new law which critics fear favours investors at the expense of labour right and the environment in Pekanbaru on October 8, 2020.
39 draft regulations
Following the DPR’s final approval of the job creation omnibus bill, 39 implementing regulations have to be drafted, including three to five government regulations (PPs) are to be prepared for the “cluster” of provisions on manpower that are in the bill. Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah said the ministry would discuss the draft government regulations (RPPs in a national tripartite forum involving labor unions, workers and businesspeople.
Regarding the investment institution, Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said that the job creation bill was intended to provide a legal umbrella for the formation of a financial management institute (sovereign wealth fund) specifically for investments. The general scheme and organization of the Indonesia Investment Authority were similar to investment management agencies in other countries, such as the Khazanah Nasional Berhad in Malaysia and the Government Investment Corporation and Temasek in Singapore.
Protestors and the police clashed yesterday during the mass demonstration against the job creation omnibus bill at Harmoni, Central Jakarta. According to several students who took part in the protestors, certain people had provoked the violence.
To prevent rioting, the police dispersed the street protest and detained any teenagers that appeared to be engaged in suspicious activities. When the police checked their cell phones, they discovered digital posts calling for mass protests. The chief spokesman for the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Sr. Comr. Yusri Yunus, said that police had questioned around 150 youths by noon on Thursday. The police then escorted them to get a rapid test for Covid-19. Ten of the youths returned a “reactive” test result, and were then taken to have nasopharyngeal swab tests.
AFP/JUNI KRISWANTO
Activists gather during a nationwide strike against a controversial new law which critics fear will favour investors at the expense of labour rights and the environment, in Surabaya on October 8, 2020.
Skirmishes between protesters and police also occurred in other regions, including Medan, North Sumatra, while student demonstrations proceeded peacefully at the South Tangerang City Council in Banten. In Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, protestors marched to the provincial legislative council (DPRD) to hold a demonstration. In Jambi, a rally protesting the job creation bill at the provincial DPRD descended into chaos and led to over a dozen people fainting during the event.
In the meantime, Yogyakarta Governor Hamengku Buwono X received representatives of labor unions that were involved in the ongoing protests, and promised to pass on their aspirations to President Joko Widodo. (KOMPAS TEAM)
