"The police will be able to tackle the case of Ahok properly and there will be no need to hold a street rally," the vice president said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla has expressed the hope that there will be no more rallies once the police processed the case of blasphemy allegedly committed by Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, or Ahok.
"The police will be able to tackle the case of Ahok properly and there will be no need to hold a street rally," the vice president said. He was asked to comment on the political scenario at the Merdeka Palace complex here on Monday.
Kalla urged all parties to exercise restraint and await the results of the investigation process being conducted by the police.
The vice president also called on all parties to convey their aspirations in an orderly manner and not to break rules or indulge in any sort of anarchy.
"Once again, holding a demonstration is the right of the citizens to express their aspirations as long as they do not violate rules," he explained.
Previously, President Joko Widodo had expressed a similar hope that there will be no rally on November 25 as it will only amount to waste of energy.
"We hope there will be no more rally," the president had observed while attending mass prayers at Ecovention in the Ancol Dreamland, North Jakarta, on Saturday.
Hundreds of thousands of people had taken to the streets in Jakarta on November 4 to protest against Jakarta Governor Thahaja Basuki Purnama (Ahok) for his allegedly blasphemous statement concerning the Holy Quran.
The president said the November 4 demonstration was motivated by good intentions.
Under the law, the people have the right to stage a rally to convey their views and aspirations. Yet, the demonstrators must comply with the rules and cannot be allowed to indulge in anarchy, he stressed. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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