The mystery behind the sudden arrest of 313 (March 31) rally leader and secretary general of Muslim People Forum Muhammad Al-Khaththath has finally uncovered.
Al-Khaththath was arrested alongside with four other people in separate places in Jakarta on Mar. 30, one day before the rally. They were held in custody thus weren't able to join the big rally they had planned. Rumors had it that they were suspected of treason and members of hardline organizations have been protesting against the 'unjust' arrest.
Police finally revealed the reasons behind the five's arrest. They were suspected to plan a coup-d'etat against the current government by forcing the House of Representatives (DPR) to call a special session to impeach President Joko Widodo.
Police also elaborated to the public the five and their supporters' failed plan to overthrow Jokowi's administration. We summarized police's explanation for you.
1. The budget to overthrow President Jokowi:Rp 3 billion.
Photo: twitter.com/TMCPoldaMetro
Jakarta Police Spokesman Commr. Argo Yuwono said the suspects had estimated the budget needed for the coup attempt after arranging the plot in three different places: Kalibata, South Jakarta and Central Jakarta. The treason suspects said they required Rp 3 billion to depose President Jokowi through a special session of the House of Representatives.
2. Al-Khaththath was arrested with some money as evidence.
Photo: twitter.com/bukan_pemimpin9
Jakarta Police arreseted Al-Khaththath along with four other people linked to the coup attempt, namely activist Zainudin Arsyad, 313 rally field coordinator Irwansyah, Commander of Indonesian Shuhada Forum (FSI) Diko Nugraha and Andry. The police also seized Rp 18.8 million from the suspects as evidence.
3. How to break into the House of Representatives: Grand Theft Auto style.
The police revealed Al-Khaththath and the other suspects' planned to breach the Parliament building through the sewers. Al-Khaththath denied the accusation and asked for the police to investigate the information as he claimed that it wasn't true.
Jakarta Police Spokesman Commr. Argo Yuwono also mentioned the other plan: to crash a car into Parliament building's fences to let protesters enter and seize the building.
"There wereseveral ways to break into the parliament building. They also planned to ram a vehicle, a truck or anything else into the rear fence," said Argo in the Jakarta Police Headquarter.
4.Police also found documents supporting their allegation against the five.
Photo: twitter.com/TMCPoldaMetro
With the arrest of Al-Khaththath, the police continues to investigate the case. The police admited to have found the statements related to the treason. "We've collected some, including documents and statements that mention the plan to replace the sitting government," said Jakarta Police Spokespersonn Commr. Martinus Sitompul in a press conference at the Police Headquarters complex, Trunojoyo, South Jakarta.The police also managed to uncoversome flow of funds which would be submited as evidence.
(brl/red)
