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Rejecting Jokowi’s call, PPP to join next demonstration
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United Development Party (PPP) secretary general Arsul Sani said on Sunday his party would join the next mass rally on Nov. 25 against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama. (Abba Gabrillin/via kompas.com)
T
he United Development Party (PPP) has indicated that it will take part in the next rally against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama on Nov. 25, defying President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s call to cancel the rally.
The Muslim-based PPP claimed that its presence would be a safeguard for the rally and prevent Islamic hard-liners from taking advantage of the event.
"We do not want them to cause violence at the rally," PPP secretary general Arsul Sani said in Jakarta on Sunday.
Rumors are circulating that protesters are going to stage a third rally, this time demanding President Jokowi step down if Ahok is cleared of blasphemy allegations.
(Read also: No more rallies against Ahok: Jokowi)
Aside from the PPP, politicians from the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the National Mandate Party (PAN) were involved in the rally on Nov. 4, which ended in violence.
The three parties, along with the Democratic Party, support Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and Sylviana Murni in next year’s gubernatorial election.
PPP chairman Muhammad Romahurmuziy said the PPP’s presence would assure the protesters that Ahok's case was transparent and being processed without any intervention.
Jokowi said on Saturday that he expected that there would be no rally as it would only be a "waste of time". He also insisted that Ahok's case would be investigated without interference.(adt/jun)
