Success of 212 Rally Proof That Jokowi is Pro Islam: Researcher

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - University of Indonesia’s researcher and intelligence studies Ridlwan Habib argued that the success of the 212 reunion rally event held on Sunday proves that the current administration led by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is pro-Islam.

“The continuity of the reunion shows that the Jokowi administration is pro-Islam. An event with that magnitude was able to be held because the security personnel was also there to assist,” said Ridlwan on Sunday, December 2.

The 212 reunion rally is basically an event that reunites former protesters from a rally held two years prior on December 2, 2016, at Monas which protested against former Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama after Ahok was incriminated in a blasphemy case.

Furthermore, Ridlwan Habib said that there were thousands of security personnel engineering traffic, city cleaners on standby, and a specially tailored train schedule.

“A number of train schedules at Gambir (which is right beside Monas) were even diverted to other train stations meant to support the convenience of the event’s participants,” said Ridlwan.

Ridlwan said that the government’s approval for such an event to be held is proof of Jokowi’s willingness, despite not being present at the event and opted to inaugurate an electrical installation for 200,000 residents of Bantarjati, Bogor, West Java.

“Jokowi’s priority is clearly for the public’s interests. It’s normal if he couldn’t make it [to the 212 reunion rally]. However, the event’s successful execution shows that Jokowi’s ‘regime’ is very much pro-Islam,” Ridlwan asserted.

ANTARA