JAMBI | INDATANEWS.COM - The Jambi Regional Police are taking a people-centered approach and deploying policewomen as negotiators to maintain public safety and order following student protests over forest and land fires, locally known as Karhutla. The strategy forms part of the police's efforts to strengthen communication with demonstrators while ensuring that students can express their concerns in an orderly and peaceful manner.
The security situation across Jambi Province remained calm and stable on Friday afternoon, October 9, 2026. The
Jambi Regional Police and Jambi City Police worked together to secure the demonstration, prioritizing dialogue and persuasion while respecting the public's right to freedom of expression.
Deploying policewomen as negotiators was a concrete measure to establish direct contact with the students. Through this approach, officers sought to create a constructive atmosphere in which demonstrators could voice their concerns without provoking tensions or disrupting public order.
The joint security personnel also strengthened coordination and provided technical and organizational instructions to ensure that the operation ran smoothly. The objective was to ensure that all officers acted professionally, systematically, and in accordance with conditions on the ground.
Head of Public Relations at the Jambi Regional Police, Police Commissioner Erlan Munaji, said the police presence at demonstrations reflected their commitment to serving the public. This commitment also extended to students seeking to convey their concerns to the government.
"The police are on the ground to serve the public and ensure that people can express their concerns safely, orderly, and peacefully. Fortunately, the situation remains calm and stable. The personnel continue to coordinate with one another and provide technical and organizational instructions for the security operation,"
Erlan Munaji said.
According to Erlan, the police's responsibility extends beyond maintaining security during demonstrations. Officers must also ensure that the public has sufficient opportunities to express their views. For this reason, the police have prioritized effective communication and a persuasive, de-escalatory approach to keep demonstrations orderly while safeguarding the rights of participants.
Policewomen Strengthen Dialogue With Students
Deploying policewomen as negotiators is one of the key measures adopted by the Jambi Regional Police when managing student protests. The negotiation team is tasked with establishing communication, engaging directly with demonstrators, and helping create an environment where people can express their views peacefully.
The dialogue-based approach also gives students the opportunity to voice their concerns openly. At the same time, the police are working to ensure that demonstrations comply with applicable regulations and do not jeopardize security or disrupt public order.
Erlan emphasized that the Jambi Regional Police and their subordinate units would continue to prioritize professionalism, effective communication, and a humane approach when securing public events. He said the strategy was important for preventing misunderstandings and reducing the risk of tensions between officers and demonstrators.
"We respect every citizen's right to express their opinions. That is why dialogue is one of our priorities. Deploying policewomen as negotiators is also an effort to establish good communication with students so they can convey their concerns without compromising public safety and order," he said.
The statement underscores that securing demonstrations is not solely about crowd control. The police also aim to use communication to ensure that participants can present their demands and positions in an orderly manner while officers continue to fulfill their responsibility for public safety.
PUBLIC SERVICE AND DE-ESCALATION TAKE PRIORITY: Head of Public Relations at the
Jambi Regional Police, Police Commissioner
Erlan Munaji, emphasizes that the police prioritize community engagement, de-escalation measures, and respect for students' right to freedom of expression. (PHOTO: Dalil Harahap)
Jambi Police Reaffirm Respect for Freedom of Expression
The
Jambi Regional Police reaffirmed that every citizen has the right to express opinions publicly and that this right must be respected. Accordingly, the police prioritize persuasive and de-escalatory measures while avoiding approaches that could trigger tensions. At the same time, they remain focused on maintaining security and public order.
This approach makes communication an essential component of securing public events. Through coordination among security personnel and dialogue with demonstrators, the police aim to prevent potential disturbances at an early stage while ensuring that protests proceed in an orderly manner.
Erlan also commended everyone who helped maintain order during the demonstration. He said cooperation among students, members of the public, security personnel, and other relevant agencies was crucial to maintaining a safe and stable situation.
In his view, differing positions can be expressed through open and responsible communication. He therefore urged all parties to prioritize dialogue when presenting their concerns and responding to social issues. This includes forest and land fires, the issue that prompted the demonstration.
CALL TO MAINTAIN SECURITY IN JAMBI: Police Commissioner
Erlan Munaji urges students and all segments of society to help maintain
public safety in Jambi Province and communicate their concerns peacefully and responsibly through dialogue. (PHOTO: Dalil Harahap)
Maintaining Security in Jambi After the Protests
The
Jambi Regional Police called on students, residents, and all other stakeholders to continue contributing to security across the province. The police expressed hope that everyone would actively help maintain a calm and constructive environment, respect differing opinions, and communicate their concerns peacefully and responsibly.
Erlan stressed that the police would continue to remain present among the community to provide protection, assistance, and public services. He also highlighted the importance of participation from all segments of society in maintaining public safety, particularly after demonstrations and other public expressions of opinion.
"The police will continue to be present among the community to provide protection, assistance, and services. We call on all parties to work together to maintain a stable security situation in Jambi Province so that all concerns can be expressed openly, peacefully, and responsibly," he said in closing.
Following the student protests over forest and land fires, the security situation in Jambi was assessed as calm and stable. The Jambi Regional Police hope that their humane approach, effective communication, and deployment of policewomen as negotiators will continue to support the safe management of public events while preserving opportunities for people to express their concerns freely. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Dalil Harahap | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala