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Djarot cancels campaign appearances over safety concerns
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Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo (second left) hands over a letter of assignment to the ministry's Director General of Regional Autonomy Sumarsono (left ), who was appointed acting governor of Jakarta, witnessed by Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama (second right) and Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat (right) in a ceremony in Jakarta. (Antara Photo/Widodo S. Jusuf)
Jakarta Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat cancelled all campaign appearances on Sunday owing to safety concerns.
“Because the situation on the field is not conducive, all [campaign] appearances have been cancelled today,” Djarot’s campaign team said in a text message, as reported by kompas.com on Sunday.
Djarot, who is seeking reelection with running mate Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, had been scheduled to make campaign stops in Kebayoran Baru district, South Jakarta.
Djarot reportedly also canceled an appearance at an event in the Cengkareng area, West Jakarta, on Saturday on account of objections from mass organizations.
On Friday, 100,000 people from various Islamic organizations staged a rally in front of the State Palace, demanding the immediate arrest of Ahok for alleged blasphemy.
Ahok, a Christian of Chinese descent, has apologized for his alleged blasphemous remarks, stressing that he had no intention of insulting Islam or the Quran.
The rally turned violent, with two police cars set on fire.
Without mentioning any names, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo blamed political actors for the violence. (jun)
