"We deplore the cancellation of the meeting today with the police chief. But we understand the urgent tasks that Karnavian has to handle in the face of the planned Peaceful Defend Islam Rally III on December 2, 2016," Commission III Chairman Bambang Soesatyo said here on Monday.
He said that the police chief had asked for rescheduling the meeting through a letter No.B/5907/XI/2016 dated November 27 2016, signed by the National Police Deputy Chief Commissioner General Syafruddin.
It was stated in the letter that the police chief would not be able to attend the hearing on Monday, because he had to accompany President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on his visit to a number of regions. He would also have meetings with a number of elements who want to stage the Peaceful Defend Islam Rally III and hold a joint press conference.
"An agreement has been reached that the police will issue permits, facilitate the participants of the Peaceful Defend Islam Rally III and have a joint Friday prayer at the National Monument (Monas) Square on December 2, 2016. The prayers should not be held on the main streets," he said.
Bambang, who is also a politician of the Golkar Party, said that Commission III will question a statement by Karnavian and the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) commander on the alleged presence of intruders who plan to carry out acts of treason during the rally on December 2.
He said that the statement must be accounted for because it touched on a sensitive issue in the context of national politics and economy.
"The identities of the political intruders who want to commit acts of treason have been identified and would be made public," he said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
