"I have repeatedly asked the mass media to maintain peaceful, stable and conducive situation in the country. The mass media should not provoke," Megawati Soekarnoputri said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The fifth President of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri, urged mass media to help create peaceful situation in the country following incumbent governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnamas suspect status.

"I have repeatedly asked the mass media to maintain peaceful, stable and conducive situation in the country. The mass media should not provoke," Megawati Soekarnoputri said here on Monday.

The former president said that some citizens who participated in November 4 rally did not understand the purpose of the demonstration.

Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo said that the political dynamics in the community ahead of the 2017 elections was normal.

However, the political tension should not ruin the Unitary State of Indonesia (NKRI), Unitary in Diversity, and Pancasila (the five principles of the national ideology).

Chairman of the Commission III of the House of Representatives Bambang Soesatyo earlier said he hoped all parties would accept the polices decision naming Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) a suspect in a blasphemy case.

"Commission III hopes that we all leave the case to the law," Bambang said here on Wednesday.

Ahok has been accused of insulting Islam and the Koran during a working visit to the Thousand Islands district in North Jakarta some time ago.

Bambang said with Ahok being named suspect and barred from leaving the country, there should be no rally related to Ahok case.

The police decision was made amid threat of a bigger rally on Nov. 25.

A big rally that ended in a clash between police and the protesters already took place in the city earlier this month led by the Islamic Defender Front that demanded the arrest of Ahok.

"Commission III appreciates police for having worked professionally, transparently and independently," Bambang said.

Ahok has repeatedly said he was not guilty but said he would accept whatever the police decision on the blasphemy allegation.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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