JAKARTA. Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Mochamad Iriawan has warned that the police will disperse rallies with election-related messages held after the Jakarta gubernatorial election campaign period ends on Feb. 11.
Iriawan also confirmed that major rallies were slated to be held in Jakarta on Feb. 11, 12 and 15. He called on Jakartans to “remain alert” on those days.
The General Elections Commission (KPU) has declared Feb. 12 to 14 as the cooling-off period before voting day on Feb. 15.
“After the end of campaigning, no party will be allowed to hold rallies carrying messages related to the election. Any violators will be charged under the Elections Law, which carries a maximum sanction of three months in jail,” Iriawan said on Tuesday.
A number of conservative Islamic groups, such as the hardliners Islam Defenders Front (FPI), Muslim People’s Forum (FUI) and the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Council’s Fatwa (GNPF-MUI) have claimed they will hold rallies between Feb. 11 and 15.
The groups were also among the initiators that mobilized the masses during large-scale rallies in November and December last year, which demanded incumbent gubernatorial candidate Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama be prosecuted for blasphemy.
Ahok is now standing trial for blasphemy.
The police said they had received a letter from the FUI informing them that around 10,000 people would hit Jakarta’s streets on Feb. 11.
“On Feb. 11, protesters will gather at Istiqlal Mosque [in Central Jakarta] for morning prayers. After that, they will march to Monas [National Monument] square via Jl. MH Thamrin, where they will disperse,” Iriawan said. (Callistasia Anggun Wijaya)
Cek Berita dan Artikel yang lain di Google News
