All those entering the premises of the MK building on Wednesday have to undergo screening through metal detectors and get their bags checked.
Currently, several people, mostly hailing from West Java Province, have gathered around the Horse Statue square, not far from the MK building.
The police have barred members of the 212 Alumni Brotherhood from planning to stage a rally on Wednesday (June 26), a day prior to the MK's ruling on the presidential election dispute.
In the meantime, the police have banned mass rallying outside the MK building during the court's Consultative Meeting of Judges before it gives a ruling on the presidential election dispute, Indonesian Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian emphasized.
Karnavian drew reference to the May 21-22 rally outside the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) that had taken a violent turn and claimed several lives.
"I do not want this to recur. Our goodwill and my discretion should not be misused. Hence, I bar all rallies that will hinder public order," he noted here on Tuesday.
The police chief admitted to receiving information that the presidential candidate pair Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno had appealed to supporters to not hold any event in front of the MK.
The ban on rally outside the MK building is in accordance with article 6 of Law No. 9 of 1998 on presenting opinions in public.
"Article 6 of the law has stipulated five issues that will be barred, including those that affect public order, impinge upon other people's rights, and the obligation to maintain the nation's unity," Karnavian elaborated.
The police have coordinated with the Indonesian military (TNI) to deploy at least 45 thousand security personnel around the MK building and close access to roads around the area.
"Mass rally that runs counter to the public's interest will be dispersed," Karnavian affirmed.
Indonesia had organized simultaneous legislative and presidential elections on April 17, 2019, in which Jokowi and Prabowo once again went head-to-head.
The MK held hearings on June 14-28, 2019, over a legal suit filed by the losing Subianto-Uno ticket, who challenged the KPU's vote tally announced on May 22, 2019.
Following the announcement, Incumbent Jokowi declared victory, though Subianto declined the results and, in a final attempt to overturn the presidential election results, decided to file a legal suit to challenge the KPU's election results.
Related news: Jakarta Police ban rallying before MK Building on June 27
Related news: Prabowo's attorney urges MK to arbitrate on electoral fraud Related news: Electoral dispute ruling can be taken before June 28: MK
Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Fardah
Editor: Azizah Fitriyanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
