Demonstration to support the Indonesian anti-corruption commission, the KPK

By Rewi Lyall

One of the things you get told quite early on when coming to live and work in Indonesia is that it is preferable that you not attend any political rallies or demonstrations, let alone participate in one. It’s also considered pushing the boundaries even further to take photographs of such a demonstration.

So it was with this warning firmly relegated to the back of my mind that I set off to a demonstration march today, held to support the KPK, Indonesia’s anti-corruption commission. You see, there’s been a bit of a scandal here of late. Apparently, the KPK was investigating somewhat underhand dealings at high levels of government. These investigators were allegedly later implicated as a result of a conspiracy to undermine their position. These officials have been required to stand down pending the outcome of this episode. The whole thing is exceptionally messy. However it is very clear that there is a groundswell of support for the KPK officials involved, including a facebook page which is seeking 1,000,000 supporters. They’ve got over 180,000 so far.

I had some friends who were going, so I thought that if I tagged along with them I’d be fine.

I turned up at about the appointed hour, met one of my colleagues and stood with the assembled crowd waiting the all clear from the traffic police who were there to facilitate the march. Cameras were going off everywhere, and I found myself the subject of several close-up photos taken by non-demonstrating gentlemen who certainly weren’t wearing any police uniforms. Those of you who’ve read other posts here would know that I’m opposed to generally pervasive surveillance measures in any society, but the truth is that I would have been surprised if my photo wasn’t taken today. Nonetheless, my level of apprehension did increase somewhat.

Our protest leaders were yelling and chanting through truck-mounted loudspeakers, including statements such as that we should not respond to provocation. Righto, I thought. Then another voice came over the loudspeakers that were mounted to the walls of the nearby bus station. I was advised that this was someone speaking in favour of the police, and it was clearly this person’s intention to drown out the pro-KPK demonstrators. Apprehension kicked up another notch.

I spied another group of demonstrators about fifty metres away, and thought they were waiting for a gap in the traffic to join us. It turned out that they were a counter-demonstration, who were given permission to march ahead of us, but only to stop a little down the road where we would be passing. Much aggressive yelling from the pro-KPK mob at the others in a manner that might be considered a little hostile.

Again came the pleas to reject provocation. Rewi begins to assess exits.

I have seen a little violence here, it must be said. Sometimes, as is the case all around the world, a couple of idiots will want to get into a fight at a gig. But here, at least, you get a little bit of warning about when to expect violence.

I’ve been told that one sure sign is when you see people wearing their motorbike helmets while walking around in a crowd. I haven’t been told that spotting large bamboo poles sharpened to a point at one end is another sign, but something, let’s call it instinct, put me on edge about that as well.

So it was thus forewarned that I decided to take my motorbike helmet along with me, rather than leave it with my bike. I didn’t wear it, but, you know, just in case…

Now, I’ll put you all out of your suspense and tell you that all of this amounted to a highly peaceful and well-organized protest march. There was no hint of violence during the entire event. The marchers stopped periodically, including for a bit of oratory outside the office of the Governor of Yogyakarta, and finally near the Post Office. More speeches were given, and an artist did an impromptu painting/performance which included mock-hanging himself from a lamp post.

Sure, possibly there were more police officers taking video and photographic footage of the event than might be the case in Australia. Or, possibly, Australian police are just more surreptitious about it. In any event, the demonstrators got their view across and vastly outnumbered their opponents.

Maybe it’s not as sexy as a protest-gone-wrong story, but I find it immensely satisfying to report that a few hundred people were able to peacefully assemble and demonstrate their strongly held views on a political issue of vital importance to their country.