On Thursday, September 26, 2024, hundreds of demonstrators from the Batam Student Youth Alliance gathered in front of the Batam City Hall to voice their demands for a cleaner city and more robust actions against drug trafficking within the police force.
The protest, led by coordinator Rizki Firmanda, aimed at drawing attention to the unmanaged waste littering the streets and residential areas of Batam. The demonstrators demanded the dismissal of the city’s head of environmental services, accusing him of gross incompetence.
Rizki Firmanda voiced the students’ frustration over the visible neglect in handling the city’s waste management. The protestors called for the immediate firing of the Environmental Chief, whom they held responsible for the deteriorating cleanliness of Batam.
The demonstration also highlighted the issue of drug abuse and trafficking, praising the efforts of the Riau Islands Provincial Police and the Batam City Police (Polresta Barelang) in tackling narcotics within their ranks. However, Rizki emphasized the need for broader enforcement measures that target not just police officers but also the general public suspected of distributing illegal drugs.
Rizki insisted on a rigorous investigation and prosecution of police personnel involved in drug trafficking, asserting that strong measures against such officers are crucial for setting a societal example and ultimately eradicating drug problems among the youth.
He acknowledged the police’s plan to create a special task force to combat narcotics, involving community members. However, clarity on the workings and mechanisms of this task force remains awaited by the protestors.
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Responding to the protest, Batam City Police Chief Commissioner Heribertus Ompussunggu recognized the demonstration as a timely reminder for the police to intensify their internal anti-narcotics efforts. He confirmed that steps to cleanse the police force were underway and pledged to establish the aforementioned narcotics task force shortly.
The student protest at Batam City Hall highlights growing concerns among young citizens about public cleanliness and drug enforcement. With strong calls for administrative changes and enhanced community-police collaboration, local authorities are prompted to take decisive actions to address these critical civic issues.
Students in Batam have staged a protest demanding the firing of the city’s environmental chief over failure to manage waste and calling for more comprehensive drug enforcement strategies that extend beyond the police department to include public involvement.
Source: J5 News Room (2024)
