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House of Representatives remained secure, police chief says
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For a peaceful rally — National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian (second left) joins hands with religious leaders Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) chairman Ma’ruf Amin (second right) and Islam Defenders Front (FPI) head Habib Rizieq Shihab (right), alongside noted ulema Abdullah Gymnastiar (left) after a press conference ahead of a mass rally in Jakarta. (Antara/Rivan Awal Lingga)
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o:p>National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian has said the House of Representatives compound was secured from occupation attempts reportedly planned during mass prayers on Friday.
“None of the participants [of Friday’s mass prayers] came here,” Tito told journalists at the House.
“I talked to key figures from the GNPF-MUI [National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Council’s Fatwa] and they guaranteed that today’s rally would be peaceful.”
The police chief expressed his appreciation for all police and military personnel deployed to safeguard various locations, including the House compound, during the rally. He praised the GNPF-MUI as the rally’s organizer and all participants who attended the event for fulfilling their commitment to maintaining peace.
To prevent Dec. 2 rally participants from entering the House, the police enhanced security measures. Only a small group of protestors staged a demonstration in front of the House compound on Friday. During the demonstration, they called for lawmakers to reinstate the original version of the 1945 Constitution that placed the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) as the highest state institution.
MPR speaker Zulkifli Hasan said it was agreed that none of the protestors would be allowed to enter the House compound as the rally location was designated as the National Monument (Monas) complex in Central Jakarta.
“Some people requested to meet me today but I refused to accept anyone related to the rally,” Zulkifli said. “We have agreed to center all activities at Monas.” (ebf)
