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End mobilization of masses: Yudhoyono
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Mass prayers: Hundreds thousands of Muslims gather and chant prayers during a rally stretching from Bank Indonesia to the Monument National in Central Jakarta on Dec. 2. The event was held to demand the jailing of Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama for alleged blasphemy. (Antara/Sigid Kurniawan)
W
ith thousands of Muslim protesters planning to join another rally in Jakarta on Saturday, former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has warned the government to be on guard against the possibility of radical and extremist groups meddling in what he called "rising political tension" in the capital.
"Don't let a third party take advantage of any situation [...] And don't let radical and extremist groups show up so that they feel they can take advantage of the situation," Yudhoyono, the Democratic Party chairman, told a gathering of party executives at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) in South Jakarta on Tuesday evening.
(Read also: Public warned of mass actions on Feb. 11, 12, 15)
"Mobilization of the masses must be ended because it could trigger physical violence and conflict in the future," Yudhoyono said.
The National Police have confirmed that thousands of protesters from the Muslim People’s Forum (FUI) will hit the streets of Jakarta on Saturday and march from the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle to the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta.
On the same day, Yudhoyono's son, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, will hold a rally as part of his campaign in the Jakarta gubernatorial race.
In his speech, Yudhoyono also deplored those who alleged that the Democratic Party had masterminded the massive rally on Nov. 4 last year, saying it undermined him and his party. (evi)
