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Police ban anti-Ahok protesters from rallying in front of State Palace
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Hundreds of police officers and military personnel are ready to secure the National Police headquarters in South Jakarta as members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) stage a mass rally. (JP/Safrin La Batu)
T
he Jakarta Police have prohibited people taking part in a demonstration against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama from protesting in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta.
Police Chief Insp. Gen. Iriawan said the decision was made to avoid a mass concentration.
"The Horse Statue area is wider [than the State Palace]. We don't want them to jostle each other [while protesting]," Iriawan said at the National Monument (Monas) park on Friday.
Iriawan said 15 people representing the protesters would be invited to the palace to deliver their aspirations.
However, Iriawan had yet to reveal their names.
The protest to demand the dismissal of Ahok was initiated by an organization called the Muslim People’s Forum (FUI).
FUI secretary-general Muhammad Al Khaththath was arrested on Thursday evening for alleged treason.
