Jakarta, Hilton News –
Bali Regional Police said they are still investigating allegations of attempts to forcibly disperse and intimidate mass organizations against events and participants of the People’s Water Forum (PWF).
Head of Public Relations of Bali Regional Police Kombes Jansen Avitus Panjaitan said he was still exploring this incident to find out the real problem.
“We are still in trouble and don’t know for sure what the problem is and who is miscommunicating,” Jansen said on Tuesday (21/5).
So far, it suspects the issue is not well digested by the two groups. In addition, he said the activities at the Oranjje Hotel had not received permission from the authorities.
“Because until now there has been no official report to the police,” he added.
The thuggish action was allegedly carried out by a mass organization calling itself Patriot Garuda Nusantara (PGN) against the Water Forum for the People held in Denpasar, Bali, since earlier this week.
On Monday (20/5) the crowd tried to forcibly disperse a forum held by Pro Democracy (Prodem) and other environmentalists at the Oranjje Hotel, Jalan Hayam Wuruk, Denpasar. Then, on Tuesday, it was alleged that part of the mob again carried out intimidation including blocking people who wanted to come to PWF at the same location.
The two who were tried so that they could not enter the hotel were former MK I Judge Dewa Gede Palguna and WCCNi Bali LBH Founder Nengah Budawati. They were both one of the speakers for the People’s Water Forum (PWF) event.
Budawati said the mob who confronted her argued they did it because the activity was prohibited by the police.
“Then if we can’t fill this show, where is the letter? There is no word, from the Regional Police they said,” Budawati said when met by media crew in front of the forum venue, Tuesday (21/5) as quoted by detikBali.
Separately, Denpasar Democracy Forum Coordinator Ignasius Darmawan said his party condemned the alleged neglect by the police of the mob of mass organizations on behalf of Patriot Garuda Nusantara (PGN) to disperse the forum, even intimidating participants both physically and verbally.
“We condemn the Bali Police’s neglect of arrogance on the part of mass organizations that have intimidated and persecuted civil rights,” Darmawan said in a written statement on Tuesday.
He then urged the Bali Regional Police to guarantee the right of citizens to assemble and express opinions.
“We call on the police to take firm action and arrest mass organizations that commit acts of intimidation, persecution and other acts of violence against civilians in the shortest possible time,” he said.
Previously, one of the leaders of the PGN mass organization, Pariyadi, reasoned for the dissolution of the Water for the People Forum event based on the Bali Governor’s Regulation.
“The governor’s regulation prohibits this kind of activity. We Patriot Garuda Nusantara reject any activities and this is no longer true,” said Pariyadi.
The Water for the People Forum or PWF was referred to as a counterpoint to the 10th World Water Forum summit held in Bali this week.
Meanwhile, PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, who is also the 10th Chairman of the World Water Forum (WWF), asked all parties not to ban PWF’s criticism because it would tarnish Indonesia’s name.
“That’s their (PWF’s) right to speak. If it is forbidden, we are even ugly. Even Indonesia was hit,” said Basukidi The Nusa Dua, Badung Regency, Bali, Tuesday (21/5).
According to Basuki, PWF has often raised discordant voices against the international water forum since it was held for the fourth time in Mexico in 2006. PWF also often interrupts Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) when he is about to open the 10th WWF.
Even so, Basuki ensured that PWF’s criticism would not affect the implementation and various things discussed during the 10th WWF event in Bali. However, Basuki is not yet aware of PGN’s anarchistic action against PWF.
“According to WWC (World Water Council), I am also with WWC, (PWF) is an NGO (mass organization) which (is considered disturbing). Previously, (PWF) wanted to be banned. I said, ‘no‘,” he said.
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