Hardline Islamic groups say they are going to stage a protest in front of the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta tomorrow despite not having obtained clearance to hold a mass gathering from the police.
The rally is organized by Alumni Brotherhood 212 (PA 212), an umbrella organization comprising some of the largest hardline Islamic groups, including the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI). PA 212 is demanding the release of FPI leader Rizieq Shihab and a transparent investigation into the deaths of six FPI members in a shootout with the police earlier this month.
Due to health considerations, PA 212 says tomorrow’s rally will be relatively small, at least compared to its rallies in previous years that attracted tens of thousands each time.
“[We are mobilizing protesters] just from the Greater Jakarta Area, so not that many,” PA 212 spokesman Novel Bamukmin told reporters yesterday.
“We will begin from after Friday prayers and finish at 4pm. We are limiting our time to observe [health protocols]. Usually, our rallies end at around dusk, but [on Friday] we’ll begin to disperse at 3pm.”
Novel did not give an estimate for the expected turnout but stressed that all participants will obey health protocols.
Meanwhile, the Jakarta Metro Police says it will not issue a mass gathering permit for the rally. However, police say they will not use a stern approach to stop the rally and instead will focus their efforts on turning away protesters before they get to the location and using persuasive means to disperse crowds of more than 10 people.
On Dec. 7, six FPI members were killed in a violent shootout with the police. Authorities said the shootout was instigated by the FPI members but have so far failed to provide irrefutable evidence to back their claim.
Rizieq was also arrested last Saturday for incitement to commit crime after he allegedly allowed mass gatherings to be held in his honor amid the pandemic following his return from exile in Saudi Arabia. Rizieq may face up to six years in prison.
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