Police threaten to disperse March 25 rally

A police official says the police will disperse a March 25 rally demanding a change in government due to the absence of a police permit. He said the police had not received a notification letter from the organizers of the rally.

 “One should submit a notification letter to hold a rally. If this is not done, we are legally allowed to disperse a rally,” said National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar on Friday as quoted by tempo.co.

Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said the organizers had until Saturday evening to submit a letter.

Last Friday, Ratna Sarumpaet from the Sovereign Indonesian People Assembly (MKRI) said 3,000 people would participate in the rally. Among their demands is the creation of a transitional government to assume power from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

“These people come from many elements, from workers to farmers,” she said.(nai/dic)