The presidential elections of 2019 Indonesia marked the end of the power and reign of Joko Widodo, but the announcement of this result was followed by two dark days in the history of Indonesia. The two days, 21st and 22nd May 2019 are still remembered as the saddest days for the whole of Indonesia and in particular, for Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.

The protests commenced on the day of announcement after the defeated President did not accept his defeat and passed statements challenging General Elections Commissions (KPU). Not surprisingly, the other candidate, Prabowo Subitian had called for peaceful protests throughout the country, but the protests were accompanied by riots and violence. Throughout Jakarta, vehicles were put on fire, and tires were burnt. Till the night of 21st May, eight casualties were reported with hundreds of citizens injured by tear gasses and chaos. The police took hundreds of protestors into custody including children and peaceful protestors. Water cannons were brutally used by the police to back off the protestors and regain peace- but all for nothing! Instead things had gone from bad to worst. A mob of protestors attacked on police officers with fireworks and stones. This deteriorated the situation even more leading to the unrest in almost the entire city of Jakarta comprising mainly central and western parts of the capital.

On 22nd May, the events had become so tensed that sharing videos and pictures on social media platforms regarding government were restricted. However, some of the protestors reported police having hollow-point bullets in their vehicles, although the claim was completely denied by the police and the officials but it was a serious blow to the police and the government.

To disperse protesters, rubber pellet grenades and crowd control guns were also heavily used by the military personnel’s and police. According to reports, there was a time when noise of gunshots and firecrackers could be heard from different parts of Jakarta. The air was filled with smoke, ash and smell of fire crackers. Military men and protestors could be seen negotiating and running to save their lives. The scattered stones and burning vehicles such as private cars and trucks also had their part in the scene. It was an evening like no other. Aggression and fear could be sensed in the streets of Jakarta.

According to the officials and local news channels, the President Joko Widodo was held a sole responsible for the riots and demonstrations which disturbed the peace, and law and order of the city greatly. Joko was not at all prepared to accept defeat. It was reported that he had cheated and his supporters had casted false votes. Joko’s supporters had declared the presidential elections ‘free and fair’ in order to give their leader, one more chance of ruling on Indonesia, which was absolutely unjustified by Prabowo and his supporters.

Within these forty-eight hours, news channels were continuously broadcasting tragedies that were taking place. A man was shot-dead in the chest by the police on the night of 22nd May, he was taken to the hospital in emergency but could not cope up with the wound and died. Hospitals reported all incoming injured patients that night had serious bullet wounds which needed an immediate surgery.

In a mass shooting many innocents were also killed. Among all those unfortunate souls, one was M. Harun. A little young boy who was shot dead by the police. He belonged to a decent and middle-class family. He was a lively boy, a kid with huge dreams. The dreams which never cam true and were cruelly shattered by the bullets.

Only imagining how his family, specially his younger sister would have received his body shivers the soul of everyone who have even a grain of humanity and sympathy in his heart. The police and specifically the president did not leave any opportunity of showing hatred and greed of power by ordering police to perform such heinous and inhumane acts.

Harun was undoubtedly a cheerful boy, a boy full of life, as reflected by his pictures and videos which are circulating on the internet since the horrible tragedy occurred. There were many other cases similar to that of Harun.

Among them was also Ibunda Faisal Amir, who was slain by the shooting of police. The video in which his mother is asking for the justice of his son with his picture in her hands is enough to wake up the authorities who are responsible for his death.

In short, police were totally and badly failed in guarding the rights of citizens. A common man was treated in a way no one would even treat a stray dog. They were badly beaten with woods and metal rods, pulled on the streets with their shirts ripped off and ultimately were shot by the police if they wanted to do so. Physical abuse, and mental torture had crossed all its parameters of tolerance. The videos circulating and going viral on the internet are the real proof, showcasing the attitude police had when the condition had got out of hands. The basic human rights do not allow any such action which Indonesian police did in those two days in hope of regaining power and throne of president Joko Widodo.

In those two days, the defeated president Joko conveyed one message and principle regarding his character and personality very well. That, to what extent a self-centeredness of a man, who is egoistically obsessed with his power can go.

Indonesia2019.com