'Above the law': Indonesia stampede puts focus on police force

13 Sept 09:43 Key points summarised by AI

The deadly Indonesian stadium stampede, which killed 131, has intensified public outrage and scrutiny over the nation's police force, long accused of excessive violence.
Survivors contend police overreacted by deploying batons and tear gas into a confined crowd, directly causing the fatal crush, contrasting with police claims of responding to 'riots.'
Indonesia's police, particularly the elite Brimob unit, has seen a substantial increase in funding for crowd control equipment since 2014, frequently using excessive force with little accountability, according to human rights groups.
Critics assert the police operate 'above the law' due to a history of unpunished violence, lack of internal/external oversight, and deep ties between police and government, fostering a culture of impunity.
Concerns are escalating that Indonesia risks becoming a 'police state' as the force is increasingly militarized and used to suppress dissent without facing justice for alleged crimes.

ASEAN envoy to visit Myanmar starting Wednesday

Yesterday 08:32 Key points summarised by AI

**Humanitarian Mission:** An ASEAN special envoy, led by Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Teresa Lazaro, will visit Myanmar to expand humanitarian access and engage with local and national officials.
**Aid Focus:** The delegation, including experts from the AHA Centre, will assess humanitarian needs in conflict-hit regions like Shan State, aiming to streamline aid delivery.
**No Suu Kyi Engagement:** Despite recent positive developments for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the envoy's visit will not include a meeting with her, as no such arrangement was made.
**Unfulfilled Consensus:** While Myanmar establishes an ASEAN Affairs Coordinating Committee and its own roadmap, ASEAN reiterates that the bloc's Five-Point Consensus remains unfulfilled, leading to continued exclusion of Myanmar's political appointees from high-level meetings.