TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Refly Harun, Constitutional Law Expert from the University of Indonesia, said the people of Jakarta should not worry about the Islamic Defenders Front's (FPI) threat to mobilize its members to "surround" Basuki Tjahaja Purnama's (Ahok) inauguration as governor of Jakarta.
FPI's chief for Jakarta Salim Umar Al-Attas had previously said the organization will "surround" Jakarta's legislative council (DPRD) office if Ahok is inaugurated as the capital governor.
"No need to worry about it. There will be protection from the police force," he told Tempo on Thursday, November 14. He also said there is a law that allows a governor to be sworn in by the president at the state palace.
"So if [FPI] wants to capital's DPRD office, go ahead and do it. Ahok will be officiated as governor by the president, so the inauguration could be moved to the State Palace. Let's see if [FPI] dares to surround the palace," Refly said.
FPI has been showing its disapproval of Ahok's appointment as Jakarta governor. The Acting governor did not sit quietly. He stated that FPI's protest is based on the fact that he is a Christian, and that such an act is against the constitution.
On Tuesday, Ahok submitted letters to the Home and Law as well as Human Rights Ministries recommending the hard-line organization be disbanded. FPI retaliated, filing a police report on the next day for defamation, saying that the acting governor "abused his authority" when sending the letter of recommendations to ministries.
"He's the only one who seems to have a problem with the FPI just because the group does not agree with him being sworn in as governor," FPI lawyer Sugito Atmo Pawiro told reporters.
Ahok said he is too busy to file a counter report against the FPI, leaving the home minister to make a decision regarding his recommendation to disband the organization. "The group's violent behavior is not a secret to anyone," Ahok had said about FPI.
INDRI MAULIDAR | RIRIE RANGGASARI
