Embassy warns Kuwaitis in Indonesia amid protests

Kuwait Embassy in Indonesia urges its nationals to take the necessary precautions and avoid sites of the anti-governor protests, due to be renewed in Jakarta. The planned protests are expected to be staged in Gambir district, and at the Jakarta Convention Center, the House of Representatives, the People’s Consultative Assembly, Hotel Indonesia and the National Monument in Monas Square in Central Jakarta, the embassy noted in a statement on Thursday night.

The statement advised the Kuwaiti nationals to report to the embassy on any eventuality via the phone No.: +6281513252597 or +6281290992638. It expressed wishes of safety, security and stability for the friendly republic of Indonesia. On Friday, November 4, violent protests erupted in Jakarta demanding the ouster of the city’s governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, who was accused of blasphemy after making slanderous statements against Muslims and the Holy Quran.

One man died and nearly 200 protesters and police personnel were injured in the bloody clashes. Purnama, a Christian of Chinese descent who is also known as “Ahok”, is expected to face interrogation by the Public Prosecution since his opponents filed a lawsuit against him; the date of his prosecution has yet to be specified. Although he apologized for the comments he made in September, his opponents insist on his ouster and gave the government of President Joko Widodo a two-week ultimatum to replace him.