Thousands of people demonstrate in Jakarta, demanding the immediate arrest of Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama on blasphemy allegations.
Thousands of people demonstrate in Jakarta, demanding the immediate arrest Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama on blasphemy allegations.
Organizers have announced that 35,000 to 50,000 people would join the demonstration, and people from outside Jakarta had flocked to the city since yesterday. The National Police and the military had deployed thousands of personnel to secure the rally.
Important political figures such as President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto and former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) have all commented on the demonstration.
Indonesia's two largest Islamic organizations Nahdatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah had urged followers to avoid the rally. President Jokowi met with Muslim leaders on Tuesday to ease tensions.
Many schools and businesses are closed today, as Jakartans are wary despite a statement from Jakarta's acting governor Sumarsono and the President that business should go as usual.
Watch the live stream on our Facebook page.
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.