This is to ward off confusion on the number of casualties. According to information from hospitals that we manage, eight people were dead,
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The official death toll of protesters killed in a clash during the post-election protests in Jakarta on Mar 21-22 reached eight, from six cited on the previous day, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan confirmed here, Thursday.

"This is to clear any confusion on the number of casualties. Based on information received from hospitals that we manage, eight people have died," the governor remarked following an inspection of an area of the Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) office here on Thursday.

Data on the eight deaths was valid on Thursday as of 11 a.m. local time.

Baswedan claimed to have not divulged the names of those who died to the press on Wednesday since their relatives were yet to be officially notified.

Seven victims were identified by their names as Farhan Savero from Depok; Raihan Fajari from Tanah Abang, Jakarta; Abdul Aziz from Pandeglang; Bahtiar Hamzah from Batu Ceper, Tangerang; Adam Nurian from Jembatan Lima, Jakarta; Widiyanto Rizki Ramadhan from Kemanggisan, Jakarta; and Sandro. The identity of another male victim could not be ascertained.

Moreover, some 737 people suffered injuries and were undergoing medical treatment at different hospitals. He confirmed that 79 of them were admitted with serious injuries.

Of the victims, 170 were teenagers below 19 years of age, while 294 others were aged between 20 and 29 years.

Baswedan stated that the police should be wholly entrusted with investigating the matter. The governor appealed to the people to remain alert to provocateurs during the protest.

Several hundred people assembled in front of the Bawaslu Headquarters on Tuesday after the General Election Commission (KPU) made an official announcement of the results of the 2019 elections on Tuesday at 1:28 a.m. local time.

The widespread protests broke out on grounds of alleged fraud during the implementation of the presidential and legislative elections held on Apr 17 across Indonesia.

The protest proceeded in a peaceful manner, as the demonstrators partook in iftar, or dinner to break their fast, and performed afternoon and evening prayers at the Thamrin Avenue, where the Bawaslu office was located. Following the prayers, most protestors left the area.

However, at almost midnight, a crowd attempted to approach the Bawaslu building. Security officers then tried to drive them away and chased them until the Tanah Abang area.

Thereafter, over 10 vehicles were scorched in the Petamburan area near Tanah Abang.

Police arrested some 300 people in connection with the demonstration.

The final results indicated incumbent Joko Widodo garnering 85,607,362 votes, or 55.5 percent, as compared to 68,650,239 votes, or 44.5 percent, of the contenders Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno.

Widodo has declared victory, while Subianto has yet to accept defeat, averring fraud in the election and has decided to challenge the result in the Constitutional Court (MK) in pursuit of justice.


Translator: Anom P, Fardah
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019