Jakarta. Indonesian Police have arrested 5,918 people, alleged for creating chaotic situation, across the country on Oct.8 during the rallies against new Omnibus Law on Job Creation that was passed by the House of Representatives (DPR) on Oct.5.
Police said on Oct.10, those people were arrested from the scenes where 240 of them have been declared as suspects in criminal offenses.
“In the demonstrations which ended anarchy, Polri (the National Police) arrested 5,918 people. While, 153 of them are still under investigation, 87 others are detained,” Insp. Gen. Argo Yuwono, spokesman of the National Police said in Jakarta on Oct.10.
From almost 6,000 people, 145 of them are affected by covid-19 virus following rapid tests conducted by police, Yuwono explained.
On Oct. 8 Chief Security Minister Mahfud M.D. explained the reasons behind the passing of the bill which to respond people’s complaints about slow business permit process and overlapping regulations related to that issue.
Draft of the law had been discussed with related parties including various labor unions for quite long during the members of the House discussions, Mahfud explained.
“[Omnibus Law on] Job Creation aimed to ease [the process of] business permits so there won’t be any overlapping [of regulations],” the minister said in Jakarta on late Oct.8 night, adding that the new law can create additional 3.5 million jobs annually.
In the government statement, Mahfud said though freedom of speak and expression are granted, the government would not tolerate those who committed anarchy actions that damaged public facilities, created fears, insecure feelings in the society and not sensitive to current pandemic situation.
For those who oppose the new omnibus law, they can challenge it by filling judicial review to the Constitutional Court.
