TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Jusuf Kalla urged the public to calm down following the riot in several areas of Jakarta on May 21-22 and asked them to discern protesters rejecting the election result and rioters in the incident.

“As the police said, we separate peaceful demonstrators and mobsters,” said the Vice President after holding a meeting with Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, religious figures, and the public in his official residence, Jalan Pangeran Diponegoro, Jakarta, Thursday, May 23.

Earlier, thousands of people supporting presidential candidate number 02 Prabowo Subianto and the running mate Sandiaga Uno staged a rally in front of the Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) on Jalan MH Thamrin, May 21. The demonstration kicked off since afternoon and ended by mass fast-breaking and Taraweeh prayer. Most of the mass dispersed after performing the prayer.

But nearing midnight until the next day, May 22, the clash between the mass and the police broke out, spreading to several points such as Jalan Sabang, Jalan Petamburan, Tanah Abang area, and Slipi. The police suspected there were other groups attempted to create a riot by benefiting the moment.

Kalla explained the rally participants were those who delivered their aspirations based on law. As for mobsters, law enforcers would take stern action. “There is a regulation for the police with the help of the Armed Force (TNI) to take stern action against rioters,” he underlined.

Jusuf Kalla further hoped supporters of the losing party Prabowo - Sandiaga would remain calm and asked them to wait for the Constitutional Court’s decision as in line with the campaign team’s plan to file a legal dispute. “That‘s our hope,” he said.

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI

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