"Innalillahi wainnailaihi rojiun. We are sorry to hear that there were six people who died," Zulkifli said on Wednesday at the Tarakan Regional General Hospital, Jakarta, where some of those who were injured in the clash were treated.
Zulkifli said he regretted that the clashes occurred, saying that there were constitutional ways to convey opinions and aspirations, including in responding to the results of the 2019 Election.
When asked about the statement by the National Police Chief, General Police Tito Karnavian, that the mob of rioters was different from the masses who had previously carried out the action in front of the Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu), Zulkifli said all parties should remain calm to cool the atmosphere.
"The government should not use words such as 'arrest', 'criminal', and 'treason', which can heat up the situation. The demonstrators should also refrain," he said.
Zulkifli added that whatever the results of the 2019 Election, whoever wins the 2019 Presidential Election, all Indonesian people will not be able to feel victory if the national unity is not restored.
Zulkifli came to Tarakan General Hospital to visit the victims of the clashes, who were still being treated at the hospital.
Based upon information released by the manager of Tarakan Hospital, there were 140 patients who were victims of clashes and being treated at the hospital. All of these were men of varying age, the youngest being 15 years old. Most of those receiving medical care have been allowed to return to their homes.
Translator: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
