- Title: Jakarta returns to normal after violence protest
- Date: 5th November 2016
- Summary: JAKARTA, INDONESIA (NOVEMBER 5, 2016) (REUTERS) WORKERS CLEANING UP NATIONAL MONUMENT, WHERE VIOLENCE PROTEST BROKE OUT THE NIGHT BEFORE VARIOUS OF WORKERS CLEARING LAWN ACROSS PRESIDENTIAL PALACE VARIOUS OF WORKERS FIXING FENCE BARB WIRES/BURNT VEHICLES VARIOUS OF BURNT VEHICLES (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) JAKARTA RESIDENT, HAFIDAN SAYING: "We hoped the demonstration would be carried out peacefully, so people won't panic about it. But it is very regrettable and upsetting that a small incident like this happened at night." BURNT VEHICLE VARIOUS OF GALUH TAKING PHOTO (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) JAKARTA RESIDENT, GALUH SAYING: "On the accusation of blasphemy we should leave it to the legal institutions to decide whether Ahok is guilty or not. I think we should just wait." (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) TRAVELER FROM RIAU PROVINCE, MUHAMMAD AMAN SAYING: "My advice for Ahok is to be careful with his words because Indonesia is a multi-culture nation where people adhere to their beliefs." VARIOUS OF ARMY TRUCK CARRYING MILITARY VARIOUS SOLDIERS GETTING OFF FROM TRUCK AND REMOVING SHIELDS VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS WALKING VARIOUS OF WORKERS REMOVING BARB WIRES JOGGERS IN NATIONAL MONUMENT PEOPLE WALKING FATHER AND SON RUNNING VARIOUS OF TOURIST BUS DRIVING PAST
- Embargoed: 20th November 2016 04:16
- Keywords: Indonesia unrest protests governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama Jakarta reaction
- Location: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
- City: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
- Country: Indonesia
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
- Reuters ID: LVA0015762EKL
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Indonesia started to clean up an area near the Presidential Palace after a massive protest demanding the resignation of city's governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian ethnic Chinese, turned violent overnight.
On Saturday (November 5) morning, most protesters appeared to have dispersed, as workers cleaned up the lawn and fixed some damaged facilities at Jakarta's landmark National Monument.
Crowds returned to the park for weekend outings despite two torched vehicles and coils of barbed wires lying idle at the entrance.
On Friday (November 4) night, police fired tear gas and water cannon to subdue a restive crowd that police said swelled to about 150,000 after Friday prayers as they congregated around the presidential palace.
The protest was led by about a dozen Muslim groups that accused Purnama of insulting Islam after he jokingly said his opponents had used a verse from the Koran to deceive voters. The verse implies that Muslims should not choose non-Muslims as leaders.
Chanting "God is greatest", many in Friday's protest waved placards calling for Purnama, popularly known as Ahok, to be jailed for blasphemy.
A police spokesman said one person died and 12 were hurt.
Hafidan, a local resident who has been closely following the news, agreed that everyone has the right to voice their opinion but was upset with the violence.
"We hoped the demonstration would be carried out peacefully, so people won't panic about it. But it is very regrettable and upsetting that a small incident like this happened at night," Hafidan said.
Authority said legal process against Purnama would be taken swiftly, firmly and transparently. Purnama has apologised for his remarks.
"On the accusation of blasphemy we should leave it to the legal institutions to decide whether Ahok is guilty or not. I think we should just wait," said a Jakarta resident Galuh, expressing his support for Purnama.
Purnama has a reputation as a no-nonsense reformer with little patience for the corruption widely blamed for the chaos and dilapidated infrastructure of an overcrowded city.
He remains popular despite efforts by Muslim groups to vilify him and is seen as the frontrunner in the election, though many voters are angry with him for evicting large numbers from slums to modernise Jakarta.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo lashed out at politicians for stoking a huge protest by Muslims in a late night news conference.
The governorship of the capital is a powerful position and it was a stepping stone for Joko Widodo to the presidency of the country two years ago.
The first ethnic Chinese politician to lead this sprawling city of 10 million, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama is standing for re-election in February, competing with two Muslims for the job. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None