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Greater Jakarta: Ahok ready to revise rule on public rallies
JAKARTA: Jakarta Governor Basuki âAhokâ Tjahaja Purnama said on Friday that he was ready to talk with human rights activists about the newly-issued gubernatorial regulation on public rallies, hinting that it could be revised
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AKARTA: Jakarta Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama said on Friday that he was ready to talk with human rights activists about the newly-issued gubernatorial regulation on public rallies, hinting that it could be revised.
However, Ahok said that even if the regulation was revised, it was unlikely that any demonstration would be allowed in front of the Presidential Palace.
'They still can't stage protests in front of the Presidential Palace, but if you have another place to propose, I am ready to revise the regulation,' he continued.
On Oct. 28, Ahok issued Gubernatorial Regulation No. 228/2015 on the control of rallies in public spaces. The regulation stipulates that protesters are allowed to stage protests at three locations only: Parkir Timur Senayan at the Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan, Alun-Alun Demokrasi (Democracy Plaza) located at the House of Representatives complex and Silang Selatan (Southern Cross) at the National Monument (Monas) park.
The regulation was criticized by activists and family members of victims of human rights abuse, who would engage in silent protest in front of the Presidential Palace every Thursday to demand the government resolve past cases of human rights abuse.
According to Ahok, the regulation was based on Law No. 9/1998 on the freedom of expression in public places. 'The law itself says you cannot hold a rally in front of the Presidential Palace,' he explained.
