By: Drs. Rohiman
Chairman of DPC ASWIN, Cirebon City
Editor: Abahroy – AswinNews.com
A wave of demonstrations that began peacefully ended in tragic riots. Tear gas, clashes, and billions in damages became another dark chapter. Yet the real question remains: who truly sparked this fire?
Many point to the parliament building itself—the representatives who are often “out of touch” with the pulse of the people. Controversial decisions, careless remarks, and arrogant attitudes in public forums became fuel that ignited public anger.
Ironically, awareness only came after the masses erupted. Doors that were once tightly shut to students suddenly opened. Voices that had been ignored were finally heard—but only after blood, tears, and social and economic losses had already spilled. The question is simple: must tragedy always be the price before the people’s voices are taken seriously?
Legally, members of parliament whose words trigger unrest cannot automatically be charged with “causing disorder.” The Criminal Code does recognize the offense of incitement (Article 160), but it requires explicit calls to violence or resistance. Meanwhile, lawmakers enjoy parliamentary immunity: anything said in official sessions cannot be criminalized. Thus, the people are left bearing the losses, while the elites who provoked unrest remain secure in their seats.
Here lies the paradox of our democracy: angry citizens are branded rioters, students are painted as provocateurs, yet those who created the unrest hide behind rules and positions. At most, they may face ethical sanctions from the House Honorary Council—not criminal accountability.
In truth, the role of representatives should be to cool down tensions, not stoke the fire. Once the flames of public anger are lit, it is not only the fences of parliament that fall, but also the trust in the system itself that burns.
The people have every right to ask: how much longer will these “out-of-touch” lawmakers be allowed to stir unrest, while it is always we, the ordinary citizens, who bear the wounds?
05/09/2025
