TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The reason behind Ahok’s transfer from Cipinang detention center to the Police mobile brigade (BRIMOB) headquarters in Depok is purely based on security matters. Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly ensured that the non-active Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, or Ahok, would not receive any special treatment.
“It is due to security reasons. After we reviewed the data, there were terrorists (in Cipinang) and many inmates [there] didn’t vote for Ahok in the previous election,” Minister Yasonna explained today, May 10.
Read: Ahok Transferred to Brimob HQ in Depok
The other reason is to prevent further traffic jam on the public road in front of Cipinang detention center, which has been caused by supporters of Ahok who keep on coming to the location.
“Traffic can potentially be disrupted by the demonstrators,” Yasonna said.
The detention’s over-capacity is also the reason why Ahok was transferred to BRIMOB headquarters.
“There are only 20 prison wardens there, we’re afraid that their daily task would be hampered by demonstrators that are concentrated there,” said the Cipinang detention center warden head Asep on Wednesday.
Ahok was sentenced to two years in prison by North Jakarta District Court on Tuesday, May 9. He was transferred to BRIMOB headquarters early this morning.
YOHANES PASKALIS | INGE KLARA SAFITRI
