Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Hasan Nasbi stated that the government respects people's rights to voice their opinions; however, it should be done without resorting to anarchy.
"Freedom to express opinions is never prohibited. People who want to give input have their rights, as is outlined by the law. However, damaging (public facilities) has no legal basis," Nasbi stated here on Tuesday.
He made the statement following public outcry against the House of Representatives' salary and incentives amounting to more than Rp100 million per month, which led to a protest on Monday, August 25.
Moreover, he ensured that the message in the protest has been heard by the people in question, being House of Representatives members. However, he reminded them to carry out protests peacefully without causing problems for other people.
"The government sees protests as an effort to voice aspirations. However, do not damage things (during protests), do not disrupt public order, do not harm others," he said.
On Monday, a group called University Students Alongside People protested near the House of Representatives' parliamentary building. In the protests, there were many groups of people, including students who are still in uniform, who tried to bypass barricades installed by authorities, even barring the tollway in the city.
The protest turned chaotic when students threw rocks at authorities and carried political parties' flags. Authorities dispersed the crowd using tear gas and water cannon.
On a separate occasion, police confirmed that they have apprehended 351 people during the protest.
Head of Public Relations at Greater Jakarta Police Force, Senior Commissioner Ade Ary, stated that the 351 people comprised 155 adults and 196 children, who are under 18.
These people were allegedly the ones damaging public facilities and injuring drivers on the road. They were not part of the initial group of people who were protesting near the parliamentary building.
