olice in Semarang, Central Jakarta, banned an event held by Islamic hard-line group Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) on Sunday night, as they believed it to be a threat to religious harmony in the city.
Semarang Police chief Sr. Comr, Abiyoso Seno Aji said on Monday that the event at the Grasia Hotel, which was opposed by GP Ansor, the youth wing of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) the country’s largest Muslim organization, and the Laskar Merah Putih mass organization, could lead to public disorder.
“I don’t want any trouble in Semarang,” Abiyoso said, adding that the HTI did not obtain a police permit for the gathering.
GP Ansor field coordinator Munir said his organization was strongly against the event, “because of the HTI’s stance of rejecting the Pancasila state ideology.”
Hundreds of GP Ansor members surrounded the venue hours before the event was scheduled and checked on people entering the hotel.
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