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Don't worry on Friday's protest: Jakarta's acting governor
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Thousands of members of hardline Muslim groups gather for a protest march after Friday prayers on Oct. 14 at Istiqlal Mosque in Gambir, Central Jakarta, demanding the police to continue a legal process against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, whom they accuse of blasphemy. (JP/Callistasia Anggun Wijaya)
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akarta's acting governor, Sumarsono, called on residents not to be worried about the demonstration against campaigning Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama planned for Nov. 4, as the city would operate as usual.
Sumarsono denied a rumor that claimed civil servants would not be working on Friday, as well as misinformation that falsely said he had ordered schools to close that day.
"Schools will open as usual and the administration will operate as usual [...] Nothing to be worried about," he said at the Jakarta Police office on Tuesday after attending a meeting with Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Mochamad Iriawan.
However, Sumarsono said that the administration needed to be prepared to face the protest. Sumarsono said that the administration would provide facilities, such as meals and toilets, for the police officers who will secure it.
Iriawan said that there would be 20,000 police officers at the demonstration.
Thousands of Islamic hard-liners from outside Jakarta are expected to flock to the capital on Friday to demand authorities prosecute Ahok for what they claim was an act of blasphemy. (jun)
