"We forbid a rally there. This is in accordance with Law No. 9 of 1998, as it could hinder public security and order," Pramono stated here on Tuesday.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chief of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Inspector General Gatot Eddy Pramono has barred from holding a demonstration prior to the Constitutional Court's (MK's) announcement on its verdict over the presidential election dispute on June 27, 2019.

"We forbid a rally there. This is in accordance with Law No. 9 of 1998, as it could hinder public security and order," Pramono stated here on Tuesday.

No party has until now sought the Jakarta Police's permission to hold a demonstration, he confirmed.

The May 21-22 incident should never recur, he emphasized while drawing reference to a protest staged to reject the General Election Commission's (KPU's) announcement on the result of the presidential elections in Jakarta in the wee hours of May 22, 2019.

The rally spiraled into rioting that claimed the lives of at least eight people and caused injuries to several hundred other people.

"Hence, I urge the public to watch from their homes the MK's announcement broadcast live on television. We leave it to the MK," he stated.

The MK has decided to declare its verdict on Thursday (June 27) rather than on Friday as stated earlier.

The MK held hearings on June 14-28, 2019, over a legal suit filed by the Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno pair, who have challenged the presidential election results announced by the KPU on May 22, 2019.

Following the announcement, Incumbent Jokowi declared victory, though Subianto refused to accept the results and decided to file a legal suit to challenge the KPU's election results.

Indonesia had organized simultaneous legislative and presidential elections on April 17, 2019, in which Jokowi and Prabowo once again went head-to-head.





Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Fardah
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019