Prabowo Allows Gerindra Party Members to Join Nov. 4 Protest
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Kamis, 1 Januari 1970 07:00 WIB
Gerindra party chairman Prabowo (Left--white shirt) and Justice Party (PKS) president Sohibul Iman. TEMPO/Amston Probel
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party has yet to decide if it will join the protest against incumbent Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama on November 4. Gerindra chairman Prabowo Subianto said that any party member who participates in the protest would not represent the party.
“The line is clear, we want to maintain peace. If any Gerindra member joins [the rally], the person would act on his own behalf,” Prabowo said Tuesday after a meeting with the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) president Sohibul Iman at the PKS central office in Jakarta.
Reports said that the House of Representatives (DPR) deputy speaker Fadli Zon, also a member of Gerindra Party, would join 4 November protests to be held by Muslim organizations. The protest is triggered by incumbent Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Ahok’s remarks late September in Seribu Islands.
Ahok has allegedly committed blasphemy having told Seribu Islands inhabitants not to be tricked by surah al-Maidah of the Koran on prohibition to elect non-Muslim leaders. Ahok is currently undergoing legal proceedings in relation to the case.
