Palace Supports "Democracy Square" at Parliament for Demonstration

September 15, 2025 | 04:49 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has expressed support for the establishment of "Democracy Square," a designated demonstration area at the Parliament Complex in Central Jakarta. The proposal for this special space for demonstrations was put forth by Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai.

Deputy State Secretary Minister Juri Ardiantoro considered the proposal to be beneficial. "Anything that is good for Indonesia, we agree," Juri stated at the Parliament Complex on Monday, September 15, 2025.

He referred the proposal to the council members for their response, but emphasized that the government has no objections to providing a designated demonstration space within the Parliament Complex. "Anything that is good for Indonesia, please proceed," he added.

Minister Natalius Pigai explained that one of the primary purposes of establishing a demonstration area is to alleviate traffic congestion by preventing protesters from blocking main roads around the parliament. He also asserted that citizens have the right to express their opinions peacefully and that the state should listen.

"Providing a demonstration area in the parliament courtyard is a strategic option that needs to be seriously considered, as it will bring the community into direct contact with the institutions that represent them," Pigai stated in a written statement on Sunday, September 14, 2025.

He aims to foster a culture of direct dialogue, believing that institutional leaders and representatives should meet directly with the public to receive their feedback.

Pigai also suggested that creating this space could eliminate the negative stigma associated with demonstrations, making protests appear more legitimate and less like a public nuisance. He also noted that having a permanent location could allow for more measured and controlled security measures and improve logistical efficiency by enabling the use of permanent facilities.

Pigai stressed that the proposal should not be misinterpreted as an attempt to restrict demonstrations to a single location. Instead, he sees it as an additional official space that is representative, secure, and symbolic.

He also proposed that regional governments in provinces and cities with spacious parliamentary courtyards could adopt similar initiatives. "In this way, Indonesia avoids the trap of regulations that restrict freedom, and instead expands democratic facilitation in the most substantive form," he concluded.

Hanin Marwah contributed to this report

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