President Prabowo Affirms Protection of Free Speech Rights, Condemns Anarchic Acts

President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the Government will protect citizen who express their opinions, but will take firm action to those who deliberately cause unrest. This statement was made by the Head of State after visiting citizen and police officers receiving treatment at the R. Said Sukanto Bhayangkara Hospital, Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, on Monday (9/01).

The genuinely peaceful demonstrators must be protected by the police. The rights to express opinions is guaranteed by law, under the condition that the demonstration must be carried out peacefully and must comply with the law.

The Head of State emphasized that the law and regulations must not be violated when expressing opinions. The President also expressed his concern over the acts of anarchy that occurred in several regions.

“I received many reports that in some places there are many trucks loaded with heavy, large firecrackers and many officers were injured by them. Some suffered burns to the neck, others to the thigh. Imagine if a man’s vital organs were burned. In my view, they are rioters, their intent is just to burn things,” added the Head of State.

President Prabowo stated that the burning of government buildings indicates an attempt to undermine democracy and disrupt the lives of the people.

“So the intent is not to express an opinion, the intent is to cause chaos. The intent is to disrupt the lives of the people. The intent is to sabotage national development efforts aimed at eradicating poverty,” affirmed President Prabowo.

The Head of State also emphasized that the Government’s programs are focused on protecting the ordinary people, and that acts of anarchy only harm the people.

“I gathered all the big business owners. I told them that they are already big, they do their work and if they work well, they are important, because they are creating jobs. Then I will take care of the weakest, the poorest,’” added the President.

Moreover, President Prabowo emphasized that there are indications of certain group that plan to create chaos by coming to other areas aside from their origin.

Furthermore, President Prabowo asserted that there are indications of certain groups deliberately inciting unrest by going to areas that are not their own, engaging in arson, vandalism, and provoking public anger. The Head of State described these actions as efforts that endanger national stability and cannot be tolerated, as they harm the people.

“This is my concern. But it’s not a problem, we will be firm. I was elected by the people. I have a mandate from the people. I was sworn in to uphold the Constitution, and I will carry it out,” said the President.

The Head of State emphasized that acts of treason cannot be tolerated. The President take example of the incident in South Sulawesi that resulted in casualties. In this incident, four state civil apparatus (ASN) who were not involved in politics became victims due to the burning of the regional parliament building (DPRD).

“These are acts of treason. This is not the right way of expressing aspirations. Therefore, all state authorities will investigate who is responsible. I suspect, and there were indications (of who is responsible), so we will not hesitate to take necessarry action,” said President Prabowo.

President Prabowo also reaffirmed his commitment to defending the people and eradicating mafias and corruption without compromise. The Head of State stressed that he would not back down in the face of resistance, as he believes the people will always support his efforts.

“I have no hesitation in defending the people. I will face the mafias, no matter how powerful they are, I will confront them in the name of the people. I am determined to fight corruption, no matter how strong they are. I swear to God, I will not retreat even a single step. I am confident the people are with me,” concluded the Head of State. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of the Presidential Secretariat) (TCU/LW)