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Police satisfied with peaceful anti-Ahok rally
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo climbs up to the stage to address protesters swarming the National Monument Park in a rally held to denounce Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama on Friday. (Presidential Press Office /File)
T
he National Police have expressed satisfaction with Friday’s massive rally held to demand the arrest of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama at the National Monument (Monas) Park, Central Jakarta, saying it was conducted peacefully.
The event, which was initiated by the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesia Ulema Council’s Fatwa (GNPF-MUI), ended at about 2 p.m., when thousands of protesters left the park orderly.
"Alhamdulillah, (thank God) the prayers ran smoothly. We appreciate that, according to information, no plants were damaged during the event. This is so different from the Nov. 4 protest," National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said.
Tito also expressed gratitude that no violence had been committed.
(Read also: Mass prayer becomes ‘cooler’ with Jokowi’s presence: MPR)
The Nov. 4 rally, which was organized by the same group, ended in violence, during which two police trucks were set on fire.
Separately, acting Jakarta governor Sumarsono also stated his gratitude that the event remained peaceful.
"I just want to say Alhamdulillah. The event ran safely and peacefully," he said while inspecting the park after the event.
Sumarsono added that 156 people had been treated by medical staff during the event. Most of them suffered from fatigue because of long journeys.
Of the number, six people were treated at Tarakan Hospital, Gatot Subroto Army Hospital and Harapan Kita Hospital. One person was treated for cardiovascular disease while the other six were treated for minor ailments, he said.
"The six people went home after undergoing hospital treatment," Sumarsono said. (jun)
