The peak of the National Sports Day (Haornas) commemoration in Balikpapan was marked by demonstrations from the Islamic Student Association (HMI).

The demonstrators rejected the arrival of Vice President (Vice President) Ma'ruf Amin in the aftermath of protests against the increase in subsidized fuel prices. A number of demonstrators also received intimidation from unscrupulous members of mass organizations to the police on Friday (9/9/22) afternoon.

Head of HMI Balikpapan Branch, Rafsyan Hassan Ratuwara explained the chronology of intimidation and detention they experienced when they wanted to express their aspirations.

The incident began when dozens of HMI masses took action on foot from their gathering point in the Balikpapan KNPI Building to the action point at the Plaza Balikpapan intersection.

“We got there around 17.30 WITA. Just arrived, suddenly a number of people from mass organizations have been visited," said Rafsyan when confirmed, Friday (9/9/22) night.

The group of unscrupulous members of the mass organization, said Rafsyan, carried out intimidation and prohibited the demonstration participants from voicing their aspirations.

"There was a fight because we were not allowed to express our aspirations," he explained.

To avoid unwanted things, this mass of action then chose to move from the place and held a demonstration right at the intersection in front of Balikpapan Plaza.

“After shifting, we opened several banners and cardboard with our aspiration to reject the increase in fuel prices. We really want to convey this because it coincides with the Vice President who is in Balikpapan," he explained.

"The points we bring are the rejection of the increase in fuel prices and the refusal of the presence of the Vice President in Balikpapan, as well as asking to revoke the policy of increasing fuel prices," continued Rafsyan.

But when they were about to express their aspirations, suddenly the police came to the masses who were about to demonstrate. The police forbade them to hold demonstrations.

“I was just about to start giving speeches when suddenly the Head of the Ops Division of the Balikpapan Police was appointed. I don't remember what language he spoke to me, suddenly someone grabbed me from behind," he said.

Rafsyan admitted, twice he was cooped up by police with different ranks of non-commissioned officers. He and his colleagues were then taken and detained at the Balikpapan Police Headquarters.

"We were brought into the car, as if we were prisoners. I was pushed into the car and taken to the Balikpapan Police Station," said Rafsyan.

Rafsyan said that around 11 students were brought and detained to the Balikpapan Police.

"I was detained and told to wait, until finally the Head of Badko and a lawyer came to take care of us to be released," said Rafsyan.

Rafsyan said they were detained for two hours. At that time they were interrogated about their personal data until they were asked about the reason for holding the demonstration.

"About two hours of detention, they interrogated us about personal data. The intelligence unit asked the reason for our demonstration,” he explained.

Even though he and all his colleagues have now been released, Rafsyan feels that what he has experienced should not have happened. Because before holding the demonstration, they had reported the activity to the Balikpapan Police, the day before.

“Yesterday we coordinated to ask for permission to be delivered directly with some of our cadres. We even handed over the softfile so we don't know the reason for the disbandment and we brought it with us," he concluded.