TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - A clash broke out between PDIP Party sympathizer and a mass near the Islamic Front Defender (FPI) of Yogyakarta on Jalan Yogya-Wates, Sunday, April 7. This was allegedly triggered by provocation between the two.

Yogyakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. Ahmad Dofiri said that the conflict occurred in front of FPI HQ of Yogyakarta-Central Java in Padukuhan Ngaran, Gamping district, Sleman when the party sympathizer passed the FPI base on their way to the campaign event of Jokowi - Ma’ruf in Wates Square, Kulonprogo.

“When the PDIP sympathizers passed here [FPI HQ], they stopped, provocation started and then they threw rocks at each other,” said Dofiri while inspecting the conflict site.

According to Dofiri, Yogyakarta police had deployed personnel in conflict-prone areas in the region during the campaign event ahead of the 2019 presidential election.

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Dofiri explained that the two camps caused a conflict because of direct provocation, and no casualty was reported, except for one jeep car belong to the FPI.

The police, Dofiri asserted, strived to prevent any conflict between supporters of Jokowi - Ma’ruf Amin and Prabowo - Sandiaga nearing the election on April 17. However, that clash was inevitable due to a large number of people.

As of Sunday night, the Yogyakarta Police have yet received an official statement from FPI related to the car damage. “No report yet. We will follow it up whenever the report issued,” said Yogyakarta Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Yuliyanto.

Yogyakarta Police further called on all elements to refrain from provocation and honor each other.

PRIBADI WICAKSONO (CONTRIBUTOR)