"They agree that the rally will be safe, peaceful and orderly," Inspector General Iriawan said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Jakarta Metro Jaya Police Chief Inspector General M Iriawan held a meeting with leaders of mass organizations planning to join a major rally on November 4.
"They agree that the rally will be safe, peaceful and orderly," Iriawan said here on Wednesday.
Iriawan was with National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian in the meeting initiated as a pro-active and persuasive approach.
The Jakarta police chief could not give the exact number of people who will join the rally, but he said that the police were ready to secure the action professionally and proportionality.
The Jakarta police will be supported by some 20 thousand police officers from other regions such as Banten, West Java, East Java, Lampung, Kalimantan and East Nusa Tenggara.
"We will face a big number of (protestors), so the Jakarta Metro Jaya Police will be assisted by personnel from regions outside Jakarta," he said.
He said the situation in Jakarta was now safe and conducive.
A number of Muslim organizations as well as individuals from Jakarta and other regions plan to organize a major rally on Friday (November 4) in front of the presidential palace and the National Monument (Monas) area, Central Jakarta, to protest against Jakarta Governor Tjahaja Basuki Purnamas blasphemous statement concerning the Holy Quran.
On Tuesday, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received the leaders of several Muslim organizations at the Merdeka Palace.
The prominent figures included Maruf Amin, Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI); Said Agil Siradj, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Chairman; and Haidar Nashir, Muhammadiyah Chairman.
Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin and Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto were also present during the closed-door meeting.
Jokowi said the government would guarantee the right to free speech, but it would also give priority to public order and security.
"I have ordered the security forces to stay alert and perform their duties in a professional manner to overcome any anarchy perpetrated by any one," the president remarked.
Maruf Amin said that Ahoks alleged case of blasphemy had sparked public controversy.
"Therefore, the police should investigate the case fairly. The president will not intervene in the legal process," he affirmed.
He urged people to conduct rallies respectfully, peacefully and in an orderly way.
"We are ready to defend our country. We will not tolerate anyone who divides this nation," Maruf Amin said.
Meanwhile, in a press conference held in Jakarta on Tuesday evening, several leaders of the mass organizations said the Nov 4 rally was not meant to be anti-China or anti-non-Muslims, but it is meant to call for the legal enforcement and justice to be upheld.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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