Police make arrests ahead of massive rally in Jakarta
JAKARTA: The police have arrested several people, among them a sister of former president Megawati Soekarnoputri as well as popular artiste Ahmad Dhani, for allegedly inciting political unrest over a protest planned in the city yesterday.
Megawati’s younger sister Rachmawati Soekarnoputri was arrested at her residence here early yesterday, according to local online media reports quoting her lawyer Aldwin Rahardian.
Ahmad Dhani was arrested as he was preparing to head for the protest, dubbed ‘Aksi Damai 2 Dis’ (Dec 2 Peace Rally), that had already lured more than 200,000 people to the streets, the media report said.
Several social activists have also been picked up, among them Ratna Sarumpaet and Kivlan Zen, and were being held at a mobile police command to assist investigation into attempting to cause political unrest, they added.
The police have yet to release any statement on the reported arrests.
Over 200,000 Muslims had gathered in the heart of the city early yesterday to join the rally to call on the authorities to arrest Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known by his nickname Ahok, for allegedly having insulted Islam.
The protesters, among them women and youths, began gathering as early as 5am after the dawn prayers at the Istiqlal Mosque and marched to the National Monument grounds to listen to talks and say prayers prior to the Friday prayers.
The protest is a follow-up to the Nov 4 demonstration against Ahok who had allegedly insulted Islam while campaigning in Seribu Island two months ago.
Ahok is the only non-Muslim amongthreecandidatescontesting the post of Jakarta Governor in elections scheduled for February next year. — Bernama