Watchdog Warns Police of Another Anti-Ahok Protest on Nov. 25

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesia Police Watch has warned police against plans to stage another rally on November 25. It suspects that the rally will be exploited by certain groups to bring their own agenda.

“The groups will try to exploit Ahok’s [Basuki Tjahaja Purnama] issue to bring down Jokowi adminstration following Ahok’s satus as suspect in blasphemy case. Police should not get caught off guard,” said IPW Presidium chair Neta S Pane in a written statement on Thursday, November 17, 2016.

Neta said that protestors might raise the issue of Ahok’s arrest in the rally in order to incite angry response from others.

The National Police named inactive Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama suspect yesterday. “After [Police] named Ahok as suspect, the public should give Police chance to swiftly conclude the dossier before they hand it over to the prosecutors and hold the trial,” Neta said.

According to Neta, Police chief Tito Karnavian has promised to resolve the case. Neta said that Police investigators will act professionally. He said that Police have proven their commitment by naming Ahok as suspect. “The decision was made based on the case expose which was held fairly and met the public’s sense of justice as well as served national interest,” he said.

Neta recommends Tito to promptly meet religious and Muslim organization leaders to reiterate Police’s commitment to resolve Ahok’s case. “In order not to give extremist right-wing groups room for maneuver to take advantage of Ahok’s case, particularly to provoke Muslims to stage demonstrations on November 25.”

EGI ADYATAMA