Alleged Deployment of TNI and Reserve Component in Student Protests in Jakarta
Recent student demonstrations occurred again around the Bundaran Hotel Indonesia area, Central Jakarta. The protest, which took place on Friday, attracted public attention for bringing various social and political demands. However, behind the action, an issue emerged that sparked heated debate: the alleged involvement of military personnel and the Reserve Component (Komcad).
Several reports from the field indicated the presence of personnel allegedly not from the police participating in securing the crowd. The presence of Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) members and Komcad in the midst of a civilian demonstration is considered unusual. This has raised questions from various parties regarding the security procedures used by the government.
Legal experts and human rights activists stated that the deployment of military force in handling protests is very dangerous. Based on legal regulations in Indonesia, the primary task of maintaining order and security during demonstrations should be in the hands of the Indonesian National Police (Polri). Military involvement is feared to trigger greater tension and the risk of violence against protesters.
Specifically, the role of Komcad is also under the spotlight. Komcad is a civilian force trained to assist national defense in military emergency situations, not to face student demonstrations. Since they do not have specialized training in handling civilian crowds, their presence at the protest site is considered inappropriate and violates the original function of the formation of the reserve force.
This incident serves as an important reminder for the government to remain transparent in implementing security procedures. The public and civil society organizations are urging an official explanation to prevent future misunderstandings. Transparency is essential to maintain public trust in state security institutions and ensure that citizens' rights to express their opinions remain protected.