Islam Defenders Front (FPI) member Irfan Fauzi, who was part of the group, said FPI had received a lunch invitation from the governor that was scheduled for 12 p.m. at City Hall.

However, as the men waited in front of Balai Agung (Great Hall), they were approached by Eliazar Hutapea, head of the mass organization division at the city’s agency for the National and Political Unity Office (Kesbangpol), who informed them the lunch meeting was canceled and would be rescheduled as Anies had been invited to meet President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

“We had informed them of the cancellation earlier, but the members were disappointed with the explanation,” Eliazer said.

Meanwhile, Abdul Majid and his entourage from FPI left City Hall while Eliazer was explaining the reason for the cancellation.

Also seen at City Hall were members of the Betawi People's Communication Forum (Forkabi), Trikora and Berkarya Party.

Mass organizations were believed to have played a significant role in helping Anies win the gubernatorial election in April. 

Separately, Anies said he was unaware of the scheduled lunch on Tuesday.

“I’ll check it later; I just learned about it,” he told reporters.

Anies later said the lunch meeting had been rescheduled to Wednesday evening. (wnd)

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