he Jakarta Police have called on the public to be wary of mass actions planned for Feb. 11, 12 and 15, the final date being that of the Jakarta gubernatorial election.
"On Feb. 11, protesters will gather at Istiqlal Mosque to perform morning prayers. After that, they will walk to Monas [the National Monument] via Jl. MH. Thamrin, where they will disperse," Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen Mochamad Iriawan said on Tuesday.
On Feb. 12, a day after the campaign period ends, a large Quran recital will be held at Istiqlal Mosque.
Furthermore, on election day some of the same groups plan to perform morning prayers at Istiqlal Mosque and several musholas (small mosques) before monitoring voting at polling stations. Iriawan added that such monitoring was unnecessary.
“Polling stations will be monitored by supervisors, witnesses, organizers, police and the Community Protection Agency [Linmas]. Therefore, we suggest that all people comply with the relevant regulations,” Iriawan said.
He said that according to the regulations any protest that disrupted public order, such as blocking main roads, could be broken up by the police.
Iriawan said that during the cooling-off period between the end of campaigning and the election, no party would be allowed to hold rallies carrying messages related to the election, adding that any violators would be charged under the Election Law, which carries a maximum sanction of three months in jail. (trw)
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