TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Police call on protesters to stay away from election-related political issues
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
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!
On the campaign trail: Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama talks to voters in Jatinegara, East Jakarta, on Nov. 15, 2016, as he bids for a second term in the upcoming gubernatorial election. The police have begun their case screening on blasphemy allegations against Ahok. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
T
he Jakarta Police have requested members of mass organizations taking part in Friday’s “313” rally to not bring up political issues or anything related with the Jakarta gubernatorial election.
“It would be better if they hold joint prayers instead,” Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said as quoted by Antara in Jakarta on Wednesday. He asserted that any protesters bringing a political agenda related with the Jakarta gubernatorial election during the rally would face consequences.
Argo said the police had received a notification from Muslim People’s Forum (FUI) on their plan to hold a rally on Friday.
The FUI leaders sent a notification letter to the National Police, who later forwarded it to the Jakarta Police, he went on.
The 313 rally is a follow up of two previous rallies, on Nov. 4 and Dec. 2, conducted by Islamic organizations to protest blasphemy allegedly committed by Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.
Argo said the Jakarta Police were ready to secure Friday’s mass rally. The police would anticipate any disruptive behavior by preparing a security system that prioritized a persuasive approach.
FUI leaders conveyed in a previous statement their plan to stage a rally to call for Ahok’s dismissal by carrying out a mass Friday prayer and a joint dzikr event. (rdi/ebf)
