Protests banned during Bali Democracy Forum

DENPASAR. To ensure the success of the seventh Bali Democracy Forum, police announced on Monday that they would not tolerate demonstrations or protests of any kind during the two-day event.

Bali Deputy Police chief Brig. Gen. IGN Raharja Subyakta said that for the duration of the forum, all rallies would be banned in the Nusa Dua area, where the international forum will be held.

The one-star general added that protests would also be prohibited at Ngurah Rai International Airport.  Three heads of state have so far confirmed attendance at the conference, which will take place in Nusa Dua on October 10-11. 

“To ensure the event runs smoothly, Nusa Dua will be cleared of protesters, as will the airport. All rallies will be banned,” Raharja said, adding that action would be taken if protests took place without the issuance of proper permits.

According to Law No. 9/1998 on freedom of expression in public, issued shortly after the fall of president Soeharto in May 1998, organizers of street protests are only required to inform the public in writing regarding the details of a planned protest. 

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono initiated the forum in 2008 with a stated goal of “fostering dialogue-based regional and international cooperation in the field of peace and democracy through the sharing of experiences and best-practices that adhere to the principles of equality, mutual respect and understanding”.

The President is scheduled to open the meeting on Friday, just 10 days before he is replaced as president by Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

As many as 4,600 military and police personnel will be deployed to safeguard the international event.

Security task force commander for the Bali Democracy Forum, Brig. Gen. Ruslian Hariadi told reporters on Monday that five warships, four F-16 fighter jets and four Sukhoi fighter jets would also be deployed for security purposes. The five warships are KRI Surabaya, KRI Ahmad Yani, KRI Weling, KRI Pulau Rimau and KRI Singa.

“We are preparing the possible arising of security threats during the event,” Ruslian said during a joint rehearsal conducted by the military and police at Puputan Margarana field in Renon, Denpasar.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman Michael Tene said on Monday that three government heads, namely The Philippines President Benigno Aquino III, Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, and the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah, had confirmed they would attend the event.

The three are the only state leaders invited by Indonesia to attend the forum.

“The Bali Democracy Forum is essentially a ministerial-level event. An exception was in 2012 when the forum was conducted like a summit and was attended by many heads of states to celebrate the forum’s fifth anniversary,” Michael told The Jakarta Post.

Delegations from 51 participant countries as well as 68 international observers are expected to attend the annual event. Most, according to Michael, have already confirmed their attendance. (Ni Komang Erviani and Bagus Saragih)