© merdeka.com
A peaceful rally... and then violence. Here's a summary of what happened.
7 November 2016 13:44
Brilio.net/en - Arally by tens of thousands of Islamic hardliners turned violent on Friday evening, two hours after the rally, which earlier in the day had progressed relatively peacefully, was scheduled to end according to a deadline given by the Jakarta Police. The scuffle broke out between rally participants and the police inf ront of the Presidential Palace, followed not long after by looting incidents in North Jakarta. Below we summarize five events you need to know about what happened on Friday.
1. One protester died from asthma
via merdeka.com
A protester identified as M. Syachrie Oy Bcan, 55, reportedly died from asthma, according to the Public Relations division of the Jakarta Police in a written statement released over the weekend. It was stated that the victim died at the GatotSubroto Army Central Hospital (RSPAD), Friday, without any signs of violence or injury on his body.
2. Looting incident
via merdeka.com
Whilethe mass of protesters mainly gathered around the presidential palace in Central Jakarta, a looting incident broke out when a group of people alleged to be related to the demonstrators sparked a riot around the Penjaringan area in North Jakarta, early Saturday. A number of locals say the looters may not be related to the protesters.
"They are ordinary teenagers who love being involved inanarchy," says Teddy, a resident of Muara Baru on Saturday morning. Police officers nd members of the Indonesian military who guarded the area tried to disperse the crowds with tear gas and watercanons, while a number of teenagers were immeditely arrested by the police.
3. Rejected to stay at the DPR/MPR Building
via merdeka.com
As the protest in front of the State Palace ended, protesters started swarming the house of representative building in Senayan. However, their presence was rejected by Jakarta Police chief M. Iriawan, while People's Consultative Assembly chairman Zulkilfli Hasan promised he would fight to ensure protesters' aspirations in regards to an alleged blasphemy by Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama would be taken into account.
"The House of Representatives, especially commission III will oversee this case. Law enforcement must be carried out firmly, quickly and fairly," said Zulkifli before thousands of demonstrators at the Main Entrance of MPR/DPR/DPD Building. This was said after negotiating with eight representatives for the crowd to leave the building.
4. Buni Yani Admitted his fault
via Facebook
Buni Yani, the person who had uploadedaclip of Ahok's speech which sparked the protests has admitted a mistake in transcribing the video. In itAhok cites a verse from the Quran and says: "In your inner hearts, Bapak/Ibu may not vote for me, because you [were] lied to by Surah al-Maidah, Verse 51, etc. So if you cannot vote for me becauseyou are afraid of being condemned to hell, you do not ned to feel uneasy beacuse you are being folled."
The mistake, according to Yani, was that he had taken out the word "using" before the part where Ahok mentions the verse. As of Friday, more than 56,000 havesigned a petition to prosecute Yani.
5. Protesters demand Jokowi's resignation
In addition to demand the criminal prosecution of Ahok on allegationsof blasmphemy, protesters also called on President Joko Widodo to step down fom his post for defending Ahok.
"If President Joko Widodo defends Ahok, it means he must step down from his post as president. Turun...turun...turun Jokowi, turun Jokowi sekarang juga," chanted the orator followed by other demonstrators.
