Helicopters drop warning leaflets as Indonesia braces for new protests

Muslim protesters march during a demonstration in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, Nov. 4, 2016. Pic: AP

25th November 2016

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has called for calm amid simmering religious tension after helicopters dropped police leaflets over the capital on Thursday, warning residents of the risk of harsh penalties if new rallies led by Islamists turn violent.

This comes after the Nov. 4 rally to call for the ouster of Jakarta’s Christian governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, turned violent. Purnama, the first Christian and ethnic Chinese in the job, is accused of insulting the Koran. Police last week named Purnama a suspect in the blasphemy probe and if found guilty, he faces up to five years in prison.

SEE ALSO: Indonesia: Police name Jakarta governor as suspect in blasphemy case

Indonesian police plan to deploy 18,000 officers for any new protests and have used helicopters to drop about 50,000 leaflets in parts of the capital warning residents not to disrupt public order or undertake “subversive” activities, which carry punishments including death or life in prison.

“These are extra security measures and preemptive moves to remind the public not to violate the law,” 

Jakarta police spokesman Awi Setiyono said.

President Widodo has sought to reassure investors and show his political coalition is united after over 100,000 Muslims, led by hardline groups, took to the streets. One person was killed and more than 100 were wounded when the protest, the biggest in the city in recent years, briefly turned violent, and police fired tear gas and water cannon.

“I just want to convey one word and that is optimism. Let us not forget that word…even though the political situation is a little heated,” Widodo told an investors’ forum.

Widodo has met with top political, security and religious figures since the Nov. 4 rally, after accusing unidentified “political actors” of inflaming the tension.

SEE ALSO: Indonesia: Massive crowd rallies against ‘blasphemous’ Jakarta governor

Indonesia’s police chief believes that some demonstrators may use rallies on Friday to destabilize the government, despite calls from moderate Muslim groups for restraint,

One hardline group, the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), said its members planned to march again on Friday week, though it pledged it would be peaceful.

Purnama, who is running for reelection in February, is up against two Muslim rivals. A poll published Thursday showed he has slipped to second place as his popularity declines amid the blasphemy allegations.

Rival Agus Yudhoyono, son of previous president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, had taken the lead, the poll showed. – Reuters