Indonesian General speaks out against protests
ICC Note:
Indonesia’s President and its government have remained relatively silent about the protests that have rocked the capital. The protests against Jakarta’s first Christian-Chinese governor have drawn hundreds of thousands, wounded many, and shut down the city. This week Indonesia’s police caved in to pressure by launching a blasphemy investigation against the governor. Still, conservative Muslims are calling for larger protests. Finally, on November 17th, a high ranking government official spoke out about the protests, and insisted that the next protest scheduled for November 25th, would be met with firm military action. The movement, General Gatot Nurmantayo said, is no longer about a case of blasphemy, but an attempt to topple the government and cause chaos. “Remember, Indonesia is not only about Islam, but also Christian, Buddhists, Hindus, and other beliefs.” In some ways, the General may be giving hardline Muslims what they want; a show of force. Many protesters have already called for violence and the death of the governor. The protests are largely organized by the conservative Islamic Defender’s front, which maintains strong ties to the opposing political party and insists that the current government is anti-Islamic.
11/18/2016 Indonesia (UCA News) – Indonesia’s military has vowed to suppress another mass demonstration threatened by hard-line Muslims in Jakarta against the capital’s Christian governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama — popularly known as ‘Ahok.’
The demonstration, scheduled for Nov. 25 to call for Ahok to be prosecuted for alleged blasphemy, would dwarf a protest staged on Nov. 4 in which one person died and at least 100 were injured, organizers said.
More than 100,000 people attended the Nov. 4 rally, according to organizers and authorities.
The threatened rally is to go ahead despite legal action being taken against the governor for allegedly insulting the Quran in a speech.
Growing fears that hard-line Muslims were pursuing a more sinister political agenda, prompted the head of the military to issue a stern warning not to stage the protest.
…
[Full Story]
ICC Note:
Indonesia’s President and its government have remained relatively silent about the protests that have rocked the capital. The protests against Jakarta’s first Christian-Chinese governor have drawn hundreds of thousands, wounded many, and shut down the city. This week Indonesia’s police caved in to pressure by launching a blasphemy investigation against the governor. Still, conservative Muslims are calling for larger protests. Finally, on November 17th, a high ranking government official spoke out about the protests, and insisted that the next protest scheduled for November 25th, would be met with firm military action. The movement, General Gatot Nurmantayo said, is no longer about a case of blasphemy, but an attempt to topple the government and cause chaos. “Remember, Indonesia is not only about Islam, but also Christian, Buddhists, Hindus, and other beliefs.” In some ways, the General may be giving hardline Muslims what they want; a show of force. Many protestors have already called for violence and the death of the governor. The protests are largely organized by the conservative Islamic Defender’s front, which maintains strong ties to the opposing political party and insists that the current government is anti-Islamic.
11/18/2016 Indonesia (UCA News) – Indonesia’s military has vowed to suppress another mass demonstration threatened by hard-line Muslims in Jakarta against the capital’s Christian governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama — popularly known as ‘Ahok.’
The demonstration, scheduled for Nov. 25 to call for Ahok to be prosecuted for alleged blasphemy, would dwarf a protest staged on Nov. 4 in which one person died and at least 100 were injured, organizers said.
More than 100,000 people attended the Nov. 4 rally, according to organizers and authorities.
The threatened rally is to go ahead despite legal action being taken against the governor for allegedly insulting the Quran in a speech.
Growing fears that hard-line Muslims were pursuing a more sinister political agenda, prompted the head of the military to issue a stern warning not to stage the protest.
…
[Full Story]