Indonesians join thousands of soldiers, police at rallies

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Thousands of Indonesians on Wednesday joined nationwide interfaith rallies organized by the military in an attempt to demonstrate national unity as religious and racial tensions divide the world's most populous Muslim nation.

Police estimated that 30,000 people attended a rally at the national monument in Jakarta, the capital, but said half of them were either from the military or police. Rallies were also held in other big cities.

Security forces are bracing for a second massive protest by conservative Muslims in Jakarta on Friday against the city's minority Christian governor, who is being prosecuted for alleged blasphemy. The first protest, which drew more than 100,000 people on Nov. 4, turned violent, with one person killed and dozens injured after hard-liners clashed with police.

Organizers of Wednesday's rallies, led by the military chief, Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, also invited students and leaders of the six religions recognized in Indonesia. Groups of people wearing headbands in the red and white colors of the Indonesian flag prayed together and soldiers sang patriotic songs.

"Keeping Indonesia unified is our No. 1 obligation," Nurmantyo told the cheering crowd in Jakarta. "We are gathered today across the nation to show that is true. We are united in the Republic of Indonesia. We are ready to defend our unity of diversity as patriots of the nation."

The national police chief, Gen. Tito Karnavian, was also at the rally.

Jakarta's governor, Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, is the first ethnic Chinese to hold the position and the first Christian in half a century. He is an ally of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, and the accusation of blasphemy has animated their political opponents, including hard-liners who have used the issue to seize a national stage for their extreme agenda, which includes Shariah law.

The Nov. 4 violence forced Jokowi to cancel an official visit to Australia. Since then, he has spent much of his time shoring up his support with mainstream Muslim groups and political and military leaders.

Ahok's blasphemy case took a step forward Wednesday, with the Office of the State Prosecutor announcing that the police dossier on the case had met the requirements for it to go to trial. The offense is punishable by up to five years in prison.

However, hard-line Muslim groups continue to demand that Ahok be arrested. He is campaigning for a second term as Jakarta governor in elections due in February.

Indonesian authorities have said they believe Friday's protest could be a guise for treasonous acts and have tried to discourage organizers from proceeding with it.

After meetings early this week between police and Rizieq Shihab, a firebrand leader of the Islamic Defenders Front, as well as Indonesia's major Islamic organizations, a deal was announced that Friday's protest would be confined to the National Monument area and would consist only of prayers, chanting in praise of God and peaceful sermons.

Associated Press writer Ali Kotarumalos contributed to this report.

Source: Indonesians join thousands of soldiers, police at rallies

Huge deployment of security forces planned for Jakarta rally

Thousands of Indonesian security forces will be deployed at a rally this week against Jakarta's Christian governor to prevent a repeat of violence that marred a protest earlier this month, police said Tuesday.

About 22,000 officials -- mostly police and soldiers, as well as some paramedics -- will be on the streets for Friday's rally against governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, who has caused anger in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country by allegedly insulting Islam.

Police said they expect at least 150,000 protesters to turn out for the demonstration against Purnama, who is also a member of Indonesia's small ethnic Chinese minority.

Authorities named Purnama, known by his nickname Ahok, a suspect in a blasphemy investigation this month after Muslim groups demanded that he be prosecuted for allegedly insulting the Koran while campaigning for governorship elections.

The controversy is being seen as a test of religious tolerance in Indonesia, where minorities have increasingly come under attack. Some observers however say it is as much about politics, accusing the governor's rivals of whipping up anger in a bid to reduce his support.

After a massive demonstration against Purnama on November 4 turned violent in its later stages, with one man dying as Muslim hardliners battled police, authorities are taking no chances ahead of Friday's rally.

Police have restricted the area of the protest to a park around a major monument in downtown Jakarta and it will take place from 8:00 am (0100 GMT) to 1:00 pm.

On Tuesday national police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar detailed the number of security forces to be deployed and urged protesters not to bring any weapons.

"It's forbidden to bring sharp weapons, like sharpened bamboo," he told reporters, adding that at the earlier protest some people had used bamboo flagpoles to attack officers.

Several hundred people were injured in the protest violence, which saw demonstrators hurling missiles at police who responded with water cannons and tear gas.

The controversy began in September when Purnama accused his opponents of using a Koranic verse, which suggests Muslims should not choose non-Muslims as leaders, in order to trick people into voting against him.

Even though Purnama has been named a suspect, hardliners are now demanding that he be arrested before an expected trial.

The governor -- who faces up to five years in jail if found guilty -- has vowed that he will still contest the February election.

Source: Huge deployment of security forces planned for Jakarta rally

Police give go-ahead for large-scale rally on Dec. 2

Police have given permission to conservative Islamic groups to organize a large-scale demonstration against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama on Friday.

In a press conference at the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) on Monday, Rizieq Shihab, Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader and advisory chairman of the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Council's Fatwa (GNPF-MUI), said police agreed to guard the rally.

"Police and the GNPF-MUI agreed the rally will be conducted on Friday," Rizieq said after meeting National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian at the MUI, as reported by tribunnews.com.

But, he said the GNPF-MUI, which earlier planned to conduct Friday prayers along Jl. MH. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman during the rally, agreed to organize prayers at the National Monument (Monas) instead.

During the meeting, Tito forbade the group from praying along the streets, asking the group to pray at Istiqlal Grand Mosque.

(Read also: Police to ban use of Jakarta's main roads for Dec. 2 rally)

The group, however, refused to pray at the mosque due to the huge number of protesters expected and finally agreed to hold Friday prayers at Monas, near the State Palace.

Tens of thousands of people, led by the group, staged a rally on Nov. 4, demanding the government prosecute Ahok on allegations of blasphemy.

Police have named Ahok a suspect in the case. (jun)

Source: Police give go-ahead for large-scale rally on Dec. 2

FPI barges into an apartment, forcing police to arrest several men

Dozens of people led by Islam Defenders Front (FPI) members barged into a Kalibata City apartment in South Jakarta on Saturday night, saying they went there to break up a "sex party" following a tip-off about the alleged event.

The Jakarta Post's source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said the mob came at about 11:30 p.m. to one of the towers in the apartment complex. Members of the mob were shouting "Allahu Akbar!"

The source said the police arrived slightly after midnight.

Escorted by the police and apartment security, the mob barged into an apartment unit and found the men inside, who the police took into custody.

FPI's public relations division said on their Twitter account @HumasFPI Sunday that they along with the police "successfully broke up" the alleged sex party. The tweet said they followed an invitation to the party.

Local newspaper Warta Kota said the police confiscated 17 cell phones, two packs of condoms and antiretroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS.

None of the evidence was outlawed material.

The Post's source in the police said the men did not violate any laws. In Indonesia, homosexual sodomy is not outlawed except when it is done with an underaged individual.

Pancoran Police refused to comment on the matter.

--

Indra Budiari contributed to this story

Source: FPI barges into an apartment, forcing police to arrest several men

BMW Motorrad flagship store opens in Jakarta

PT Maxindo Moto Nusantara (MMN), the authorized distributor and importer of BMW Motorrad in Indonesia, opened a new flagship store in South Jakarta on Saturday in an effort to better serve its customers.

The 4,000 square-meter store provides a retail experience for motorcycle enthusiasts by showcasing up to 35 BMW Motorrad motorcycles, in addition to clothing and other accessories.

"Our aim is to create a 'home' for riders, so whenever they want to hang out or find various necessities for their motorbikes, they can stop by," Joe Frans, MMN's CEO told reporters.

(Read also: Harley-Davidson tries its luck with beginner bikes)

The four-story building has a basement for motorcycle service with 12 service bays.

"In the basement, there are 12 service bays equipped with special tools […] We can repair up to 72 motorcycles a day," MMN's director of sales and marketing Paulus B. Suranto, said.

Among the motorcycles showcased at the flagship store are the R 1200 GS Adventure, priced at Rp 737 million (US$56,000), the R nine T, priced at Rp 600 million and the R 1200 RT for Rp 852 million. (win/jun)

Source: BMW Motorrad flagship store opens in Jakarta

Myanmar crisis sparks Muslim protests in Asian capitals

By Shafiqul ALAM

Dhaka (AFP) -- Angry Muslim protesters took to the streets from Jakarta to Dhaka on Friday to denounce Myanmar over allegations of indiscriminate killing and rape in a military crackdown on the country's Rohingya Muslim minority.

Around 5,000 Bangladeshi Muslims demonstrated in the capital Dhaka after Friday prayers, with hundreds more protesting in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Bangkok to accuse Myanmar of ethnic cleansing and genocide in its northern Rakhine state.

Muslim-majority Malaysia's Cabinet also issued a statement condemning the violence, an unusually strong criticism against a fellow member of the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"Malaysia... calls on the government of Myanmar to take all necessary actions to address the alleged ethnic cleansing," the statement said.

It said the Myanmar ambassador would be summoned over the crisis and that Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman would meet with de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other top Myanmar officials "at the earliest possible date."

Up to 30,000 Rohingya have abandoned their homes in Myanmar to escape the unfolding violence, the UN says, after troops poured into the narrow strip where they live earlier this month.

Rohingya are denied citizenship and subject to harsh restrictions in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where many view them as illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh, though many have lived been in Myanmar for generations.

The Dhaka protesters gathered outside the Baitul Mokarram mosque, the country's largest, to demand an end to the violence, denounce Suu Kyi, and calling for Bangladesh to accept fleeing Rohingya.

Around 500 Malaysians and Rohingya marched through a heavy tropical downpour from a Kuala Lumpur mosque to Myanmar's embassy carrying banners denouncing the Rakhine "genocide."

Abu Tahir, a 60-year-old Rohingya man who demonstrated with a chain coiled around his body, said he had been cut off from his family in Rakhine since he fled two years ago.

"The Rohingya are being treated like dogs, and are being killed," he said, tears rolling down his face.

Amir Hamzah, 60, who heads the Malaysian Muslims Coalition, an NGO, said "the people of Malaysia strongly condemn" Myanmar's actions.

"We want an immediate stop to the violence. This is cruel," he said.

In Jakarta, around 200 demonstrators from Indonesian Islamic organisations protested outside Myanmar's embassy.

Chanting "Allahu Akbar! (God is greater!)", they called for the government of Indonesia -- the world's most populous Muslim nation -- to break off diplomatic ties with Myanmar and for Suu Kyi's 1991 Nobel Peace Prize to be revoked.

"This genocide is happening to women, children and the elderly," said Maya Hayati, a 34-year-old housewife.

"If they (Myanmar) don't want them, then it's probably better to send them to another country. Don't torture them like that in their own country."

The UN says the stateless Rohingya are among the world's most persecuted minorities.

The UN refugee agency says well over 120,000 have fled Rakhine since a previous bout of bloody unrest in 2012, many braving a perilous sea journey to Malaysia.

Last year, thousands were stranded at sea after a well-worn trafficking route through Thailand collapsed following a police crackdown sparked by the discovery of brutal human-trafficking camps along the Malaysia border.

Source: Myanmar crisis sparks Muslim protests in Asian capitals

Jakarta arrests instigator of the protests against Christian governor

Geographic areas

» 11/24/2016, 12.08

INDONESIA

Mathias Hariyadi

Buni Yani, a former journalist and professor of communication, is accused of having manipulated the words of Ahok and having incited the radical Muslim groups. A petition calling for his prosecution has collected more than 100 thousand signatures. The fundamentalists promise more protests on 2 December.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Indonesian police have arrested and named as suspect Buni Yani, a former journalist and professor of communications, accused of having incited the protests on 4 November against the Christian governor of Jakarta.

In the days after the event, a petition calling for a trial against Yani had collected more than 100 thousand signatures. The former journalist has confessed to having manipulated the words of Tjahaja Basuki Purnama known as "Ahok", making them seem an insult to Islam and generating the blasphemy charges against the politician.

Yani has been included in the list of suspects after several hours of questioning by police. He is charged with  defamation and manipulation in religious matters, one of the four dimensions protected by former President Suharto (1967-1998).

Anyone who was guilty of the crime in one of the so-called Sara (Suku, ethnicity, Agama, religion, Ras, race and Adat-istiadat, local customs) was subject to  severe punishment. Now, after the Reformation in 1998 following the fall of Suharto, Indonesians enjoy more freedom of expression and the ability to criticize. Civil society wonders if this freedom has not become too widespread.

Through his Facebook profile, Yani has expressed his disappointment at the arrest: "Now I need my friends and the support of all Muslims. I am under arrest and I cannot go home. " Again it was through the social network that Yani Ahok is accused of having "carried out a religious defamation" after editing a phrase uttered by the governor during a rally.

After the protest on November 4 mass (which was attended by at least 100 thousand people) and the inclusion of Ahok in the trial for blasphemy, radical Muslim groups promise new demonstrations against the governor. The Gerakan Nasional Pe ngawal Fatwa (Gnpf, national movement for the defense of the fatwa) is organizing a "mass prayer" in the central streets of Jakarta on 2 December. The police and the army said they will not tolerate any protest activities.

The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, the two largest moderate Muslim groups, issued a statement ìdistancing themselves from Gnpf and accusing the organizers of the event on December 2 of manipulating the symbols of moderate movements.

See also

07/11/2016 14:33:00 INDONESIAMore than 100,000 signatures against the manipulator of the Jakarta protests

Buni Yani, a communications professor at the London School in Central Jakarta, is accused of having manipulated the words of the capital's Christian governor to make them offensive to Islam. He defended himself by saying he did it "by mistake", but the public wants an investigation.

12/10/2016 17:49:00 INDONESIAJakarta's "blasphemous" Christian governor kicks up a storm

The politician said that the Qur'an should not be used for non-religious purposes. Indonesia's main Islamic groups accuse him of defaming Islam. The campaign to discredit him continues ahead of the upcoming election.

31/10/2016 13:19:00 INDONESIAJakarta Muslims defend Christian governor against Islamic radicals

Radical groups plan a march for 4 November against the city's Christian governor, accused of blasphemy. In fact, the real goal is to divide the country and weaken moderate movements. Extremist groups, possibly linked to the Islamic State, plan to infiltrate protest.

16/11/2016 09:20:00 INDONESIAJakarta, Christian governor Ahok to go on trial for blasphemy

Investigators have entered his name in the official list of suspects. The first breakthrough in the legal case that has been dragging on for weeks. The politician was not arrested but cannot leave the country. The hearings will be broadcast live on TV. Ahok faces up to five years in prison.

15/10/2016 10:23:00 INDONESIAJakarta, thousands of Islamic fundamentalists take to streets against Christian governor

Protest organized by the Islamic Defenders Front: "The Koran calls for all the country's leaders to be Muslims." Basuki Tjahaja Purnama,known as "Ahok" is accused of blasphemy for having quoted the sacred text during a rally. Moderate Muslims distance themselves: "We do not agree with this initiative. The governor apologized. "

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Source: Jakarta arrests instigator of the protests against Christian governor

'My house was turned to debris': Jakarta's evicted write their story

Iwan Setiawan sits at the table where he serves his customers. Photograph: Yusni Aziz

In August 2015, hundreds of residents living in an informal community in Pulo, Jakarta, were evicted, and their houses bulldozed. The government said it was to provide better housing, and to protect them from the floods to which the kampung was prone.

The residents – mostly fishermen and small traders – were moved to social housing, roughly 12 miles away. Their new homes were in large tower blocks, in apartments that couldn't have been more different from the neighbourhood they'd known for decades.

Some months later, journalists from the social activist group Islam Bergerak, the nonprofit architecture magazine Ruang Arsitektur and the Jakarta Post held a writing workshop for the evicted residents. The idea was to give them the chance to express their feelings about the move.

Though concerned that their criticisms would cause the government or their new landlords to punish them, the residents agreed to have their stories published.

The following are excerpts.

Yusuf Supriyadi in the new housing complex. Photograph: Yusni Aziz Yusuf Supriyadi

In my old age I need peace in life. I need my happiness.

The place where I lived was identified as part of the Ciliwung River Normalisation Programme, so relocation was inevitable. But it did not seem urgent. In everyone's minds here, the relocation would bring adequate compensation and benefits.

The governor had stated that everything would be compensated with money. After that promise, none of the residents were concerned about the displacement, even when the surveyor came to measure our buildings.

The fight kept going even when officers fired tear gas

Yusuf Supriyadi

The residents were initially enthusiastic to help. Afterwards, however, meetings between the officials and the residents became increasingly intense. A committee was formed by the residents, but to no avail. The provincial government announced they would not pay anything to the citizens unless they have certificates.

I still clearly remember what happened. A crowd of people facing the Jakarta Public Order Agency, police and military, both sides ready to attack. The majority of young people were eager to defend their homes. They did not want to leave the place where they'd lived for decades without any compensation.

The atmosphere was tense. The fight between the groups kept going even when officers fired tear gas. In the end, even the innocent ones became the victims.

When it was the turn of my house , my wife could not stand it and fainted. My house was turned to debris.

It contained a lot of memories of my life, from my childhood to my old age. I had lived in that house for decades – just a normal house, like the other buildings at the river bank, yet I was so comfortable with it. Perhaps that is why it is difficult to forget.

Mr Uming in his kitchen. Photograph: Yusni Aziz Mr Uming

I used to have a coffee stall in Jatinegara street. I earned a profit of Rp150,000 (£8) a day. I used it to pay school fees, electricity and water, and other household needs. I saved some money, and in 2000 I bought a house. Little by little, I started to repair it.

On 28 August 2014, they evicted my coffee stall along with the shops in the same street. I lost my livelihood.

My wife tried to open small shop at home, and I worked odd jobs: sometimes as a porter, and also a construction worker.

But a year after that, before I was able to find a steady job, our house was demolished. With resentment and sadness, we were forced to move to flats.

Living in the flat is much harder. I no longer have a job, especially as now I am 60 years old. Most days, I just rely on the help of my children.

Iwan Setiawan and his food stall. Photograph: Yusni Aziz Iwan Setiawan

I think of life in the new towers compared to our previous life in Kampung Pulo as like taxis compared to bajaj (rickshaw). As soon as you open the taxi door, the meter starts running – but with bajaj you can always bargain.

My life in the new housing is more luxurious, like in a castle. There are facilities for children and a suggestion box near the elevator – though it's not much use.

My income has fallen sharply. In the kampung, we could trade freely. There were no rules. There are so may rules here.

Koko Wahyu and his daughter. Photograph: Yusni Aziz Koko Wahyu

In our previous life, we did not have to think about rent, water or electricity – which, of course, is now more expensive. We had a simple house, but we owned it – rather than a tall and luxurious building which we rent.

Now we are given a warning letter and are banned from trading in front of the house we live in. But the majority of Pulo's citizens are traders!

The lift has already broken several times. My child is four years old and is traumatised by the lift because he experienced and saw first hand when people were stuck in it.

Children need a place to play outdoors, like we had in the old home, where they can run free. Though there are playground facilities provided by the organiser, they are not maintained and protected.

Ade Pak looks outside of the window of his mother's bedroom Photograph: Yusni Aziz

Ade Pak

Even though our house was very simple and often flooded, we were comfortable and in peace, because we did not need to think about rent and the price of water. Because the water in this housing is obtained from the distillation process, it does not taste good and after a shower it makes my skin itchy. In Kampung Pulo I have never had problems like that.

I used to lived next door to my parents but now they live downstairs. I am concerned about them: if they have an illness or asthma relapse, I am worried no one will know. I could just live with my parents, but I am already married – and this housing is not big enough for us if we want stay together. I have asked to be moved to their floor, but the manager said I cannot, even though there is an empty unit there. The selection process is like playing the lottery.

I am a private employee and I am grateful that I am still able to work and gain some money. But whereas my salary used to be enough for daily expenses and I still had some for savings, since my family and I moved to this housing my salary is used up in rent, electricity and water. If you do not pay, you get a warning; after a third warning letter, you will be evicted. If that happens, where would we stay? Would we have to live on the street?

How long will we all have to stay in this housing and pay rent? Our whole lifetime? The contract contains a clause stating that the use of this building is only for up to 20 years, and every two years we have to sign an extension. After 20 years, would we be moved again?

Our lives are like a soccer ball, constantly kicked and passed around.

Ms Evi with the Jatinegara housing behind her. Photograph: Yusni Aziz Ms Evi

I am a mother without any income, and being supported by two sons-in-law. But sometimes I also help out the neighbours. Normally everything is covered just like that, but now it is not enough.

Everything feels a bit formal. Children do not feel at home. Due to the lack of proper facilities for children to play in Rusunawa, many children go away to play. My 12-year-old son still likes to play in Kampung Pulo, the place where he lived before. After mingling with children around the towers, it seemed like my son can no longer be disciplined. He likes to skip school.

Farah Difa at the playground area. Photograph: Yusni Aziz Farah Difa Ramadhani

I am a sixth grade student, and I usually play in the kampung, either cooking games, dolls, riding bikes around with my friends.

My house in Pulo didn't leak. The house was big and we had two floors. Even though there were a lot of rats, all our stuff could fit, and we did not have to pay for water.

Our apartment in this new housing leaks. It is small , there are a lot of beetles, not all of our stuff can fit in and we have to pay for water.

Zulfa in the kitchen where she does her homework. Photograph: Yusni Aziz Zulfa Zam Zami

I am a fourth grade student; my hobby is dancing and my dream is to become a doctor.

I have many friends and relatives in Pulo. When the excavator came, I watched my house be demolished. I saw it with my father. I hugged him because I was scared.

Why did they demolish it, what did I do wrong? I wish I could go back to Pulo.

What would make Jakarta better, and what changes are most urgently needed? Share your ideas, thoughts, stories and pictures here. You can also contribute onTwitter and Instagram using the hashtag #GuardianJakarta

Source: 'My house was turned to debris': Jakarta's evicted write their story

In Indonesia: Jakarta governor faces grilling over blasphemy allegations

Jakarta's Christian governor was questioned by police Tuesday for the first time since being named a suspect in a blasphemy investigation seen by critics as a test of religious tolerance in Indonesia.

Police are pursuing allegations that Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known by his nickname Ahok, insulted the Koran, a criminal offence that carries a jail sentence in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country.

The allegations have sparked much anger among Muslims -- both moderate and hardline -- with more than 100,000 taking to the streets of Jakarta earlier this month demanding Purnama be prosecuted.

Purnama -- Jakarta's first non-Muslim leader in half a century and a member of Indonesia's ethnic Chinese minority -- declined to comment as he arrived for questioning at national police headquarters.

But his spokesman Ruhut Sitompul said Purnama would continue to cooperate with police, who have ordered the governor not to leave the country.

"Our country is a country based on the law. Our president told us not to interfere with the police and to respect the law," Sitompul told AFP.

President Joko Widodo met political figures this week to bolster support before further rallies planned in coming weeks by religious groups.

"The government is committed with all its force to prevent the growth of radicalism in our country," Widodo told reporters Tuesday.

The massive demonstration earlier this month turned violent as hardliners torched vehicles and attacked police, forcing Widodo to cancel a trip abroad to manage the crisis.

Police have vowed to crack down on hardliners who try to use future rallies to stoke violence.

The naming of Purnama as a suspect means authorities believe they have enough evidence to consider filing charges.

He stoked anger in September when accusing his opponents of using a Koranic verse, which suggests Muslims should not choose non-Muslims as leaders, in order to trick people into voting against him.

Purnama apologised for the remarks but pledged not to pull out of the Jakarta election in February, despite the growing controversy.

Rights groups have urged authorities to drop the case and repeal the blasphemy laws. These have been used to prosecute and imprison members of religious minorities, according to Human Rights Watch.

Source: In Indonesia: Jakarta governor faces grilling over blasphemy allegations

Singapore Airlines Reduces Jakarta Services

Tis Meyer / PlanePics.org

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Singapore Airlines is reducing its operations to Jakarta by five weekly flights with effect from 1 December 2016, as directed by Indonesian Civil Aviation Authorities.

Singapore Airlines has been operating 63 flights per week to and from Jakarta since July 2013.

The Indonesian authorities have informed the Airline that five flights must be cut due to runway maintenance works at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The five weekly flights being cut between Singapore and Jakarta are SQ962 and SQ963 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Earlier this month, the airline said it had to postpone plans for a thrice-weekly service linking Singapore, Jakarta and Sydney after Indonesia withdrew its approval. Runway maintenance work at the Jakarta airport was also cited as the reason.

Source: Singapore Airlines Reduces Jakarta Services

Police chief, other security officials attend sermon at Jakarta mosque

National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian attended a sermon at Al-Riyadh Mosque in Kwitang, Central Jakarta on Sunday morning.

Tito, who arrived at 8 a.m., was welcomed by staff of the congregation.

Tito said he regularly attended public sermon in Kwitang since the days when he was still an officer with the Central Jakarta Police.

"I know Habib Abdurrohman well," Tito said, as quoted by the news agency Antara.

He said his visit was purely to listen to Habib's sermon and not related to the situation in Jakarta.

"Once again, this is not the first time I come here," he said.

Tito wore white Muslim attire and a black peci (hat) and rushed into the building after briefly talking to journalists.

With him were National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar, Jakarta Military Command chief Maj. Gen. Teddy Lhaksmana, Jakata Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Suntana and Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Awi Setiyono. (evi)

Source: Police chief, other security officials attend sermon at Jakarta mosque

1000s rally in Indonesia to call for tolerance

People take part in a rally against racial and religious intolerance in Jakarta, Indonesia, November 19, 2016. (Photo by Reuters)

Thousands of Indonesians have rally in the capital to voice their concerns about racial and religious intolerance and call for unity among citizens of the Muslim-majority Southeast Asian state.

Religious leaders, lawmakers, members of human rights groups and others were among those taking part at the demonstration in central Jakarta on Saturday.

Some protesters, dressed in red and white shirts, carried posters bearing the national motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, meaning "unity in diversity."

"This is about diversity, but also about unity. We have to separate politics from ethnicity, religion, and race," said 25-year-old protester Iwan Saputra, adding, "I want Indonesia to stay united."

The rally came a few days after Indonesian police named Jakarta's governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a suspect in a blasphemy case brought by a group suspected of Takfiri inclinations.  

Jakarta's governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama gestures during his campaign for the next round of the governor elections in Jakarta, Nov. 16, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

The ethnic Chinese has been accused of blasphemy, sparking a mass protest earlier this month, which left one person dead and dozens more injured. Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the demonstrators.

Although the governor apologized for his comments, he could face a maximum of five years in prison if found guilty under Indonesia's 1965 blasphemy law.

Indonesia, with a population of almost 250 million, has several minority groups and recognizes six religions. 

Source: 1000s rally in Indonesia to call for tolerance

Thousands of Indonesians expected to rally against rising intolerance

JAKARTA Thousands of Indonesians are expected to rally on Saturday against what they see as growing racial and religious intolerance in the world's largest Muslim-majority country.

Religious leaders, human right groups and other organisations will join the parade in central Jakarta, spokeswoman Umi Azalea said by telephone.

The movement was not political but aimed at "celebrating Indonesia's diversity", Azalea said.

"Indonesia has so many religions, cultures and ethnicities. Yet now we are seeing some groups that are forcing their own will, and that is very worrying."

Indonesian police said on Wednesday they would investigate a complaint by Muslim groups that the Christian governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, had insulted Islam.

The decision has stoked concerns about rising hardline Islamic sentiment in the country of 250 million people and is also seen by some analysts as a blow to democracy.

More than 100,000 Muslims protested against Purnama earlier this month. Police fired tear gas and water cannon to quell the protest.

There are also signs of rising religious tension elsewhere in Indonesia. Last Sunday, police arrested a suspected militant who threw an explosive device at a church in the eastern island of Borneo.

(Reporting by Eveline Danubrata; Editing by Nick Macfie)

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Source: Thousands of Indonesians expected to rally against rising intolerance

5 startups that left an impression at TIA Jakarta 2016’s Bootstrap Alley (Day 2)

It was an exciting two-days: from VR arcade to a 3D home simulator startup, there was no lack of innovative ideas at TIA Jakarta 2016's Bootstrap Alley.

Day 2 received startups that spanned every corner of the technology map, all aspiring to be huge movers in the startup ecosystem. In case you missed them, we've got you covered. Here are five startups we think you should know about.

Grid Vrick

All of us have a dream home. A home that is not only comfortable but also well designed. Grid Vrick combines Lego with 3D architectural imaging to bring your interior design ideas and remodelling dreams to life. You can even simulate the diffusion and transmission of sunlight in the morning, noon, and evening of all four seasons – cool huh? Creating and visualising your dream home is as easy as stacking toy building blocks. Anybody, even a child, can do it now.

Adopsi

Adopting the pet of your dreams can be time consuming. Adopsi cuts short the entire process by putting you directly in touch with your perfect match after you've explored and viewed the pets' detailed profiles and photos. Whether you're an individual, shelter manager or working in animal welfare organizations, you can help pets get adopted just by uploading the adoption data from your phone and sharing it with the world.

Zennya

So you dragged yourself home after an exhausting day of work. You're craving for a massage, but yet too lazy to head out for one. How does a massage from the comfort of your home sound?

Zennya is just that. Delivering quality, affordable service at the touch of a button, Zennya's goal is to make health and wellness a habit. It has a personalisation option that allows users to set "favourites" and match themselves with their preferred therapists. Currently, they only offer Swedish and Shiatsu massage. But stay tuned for new services such as deep tissue and sports massage, hand and foot scrubs, and more.

Lovi Dovi

Can we just take a moment to appreciate how pretty those flowers are? The girls were handing out fresh roses to everyone that approached their booth – the nicest booth award certainly goes to them.

Lovi Dovi is a florist directory and marketplace, where the community can buy and sell fresh or artificial flowers online. Need the perfect bouquet for your special someone? Lovi Dovi will show you how, what to look for, and deliver a perfect bouquet for every occasion.

Astronaut

In this high-tech world, businesses are exploring inventive solutions to age-old problems such as recruitment. Astronaut, a mobile and web technology company focused on recruitment and team building solutions across Asia, has developed a fresh approach to candidate shortlisting.

Putting the traditional telephone interview on the backburner, they've rolled out an easy-to-use mobile app for candidates to apply for jobs and do interviews using video-selfies. It's rendered to transform the way companies get to know candidates.

Missed being at #tiajkt2016? Well, you're in luck. Our awesome media team has filmed down everything that happened over the last two days. You can catch up on all conference highlights on our Facebook and Youtube page!

Source: 5 startups that left an impression at TIA Jakarta 2016's Bootstrap Alley (Day 2)

Jakarta governor Ahok named as blasphemy suspect

Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, nicknamed "Ahok", takes a picture with a supporter while campaigning for the upcoming election for governor in Jakarta, IndonesiaREUTERS/Darren Whiteside

Indonesian police have named the governor of Jakarta as a suspect in a blasphemy case, just as he was campaigning to seek a second term.

This development comes just days after hard-line Muslim protestors called for Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama's indictment in a rally, TIME reported.

Earlier this month, Jakarta was rocked by a massive protest by conservative Muslims against the governor. One person died and dozens were injured in rioting. Hard-liners have threatened more protests if Ahok isn't arrested.

Police announced at a news conference that the popular governor could not leave the country while the investigation is underway.

However, they said that he is not being detained because investigators and religious experts were sharply divided over whether the comments at issue were blasphemous.

"After long discussions, we reached a decision that the case should be tried in an open court," said National Police chief detective Ari Dono.

The Islamic Defenders Front, a vigilante group that wants to impose Shariah law, began demanding Ahok's arrest after a video circulated online in which he joked to an audience about a passage in the Quran that could be interpreted as prohibiting Muslims from accepting non-Muslims as leaders. The governor has apologized for the comment.

Munarman, a spokesman for the Front who goes by one name, said the group is still demanding Ahok's arrest because he could flee or destroy evidence. "The offense has caused unrest across the country. We will continue to stage protests until he is arrested," he said.

Sumarno, chief of Jakarta's Election Commission, said Ahok is not barred from competing in the gubernatorial election.

Ahok is first Christian governor of Jakarta in half a century and the first ethnic Chinese to run the sprawling chaotic city that is one of the world's 10 largest urban areas.

He is popular with the city's middle class, but has made enemies from a tough stance against corruption and an urban program that has evicted thousands of the city's poorest from slums.

Source: Jakarta governor Ahok named as blasphemy suspect

Tax DG Mulls to Embed Tax Awareness Education at Schools

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Tax Directorate General (Tax DG) is planning to include taxation in the national education curriculum. The move is considered to be important in order to raise awareness about tax obligations among young generations.

"Children must be given an understanding about taxes," Hestu Yoga Saksama, director for services and publilc relations said on Tuesday, November 15, 2016. "There must be tax education in the curriculum, starting from junior high up to university."

Hestu added that currently there are 41,6 million children in the 4-12 years old group, and 54,4 million teenagers and students in the 14-25 years old group .

"The numbers are very significant in order to plan the taxation in the future. This is an essential investment for the future in order to increase our tax ratio," Hestu explained.

Earlier, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati deplored that Indonesia's tax ratio remains low. Currently, Indonesia is among 20 countries with the largest economy in the world with a 12-percent tax ratio.

Hestu added that Indonesia's tax obedience is still low. The level of tax obedience among individual taxpayers is only 60,2 percent, and that for corporate taxpayers is 56 percent. "From 17 million taxpayers who are supposed to submit Annual Tax Returns (SPT), only 10,2 million [taxpayers] complied," Hestu said.

According to Hestu, the Tax DG is currently preparing tax courses that would be suitable for each level of education.

"We hope the future generations would be more aware of tax obligations," Hestu said.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO

Source: Tax DG Mulls to Embed Tax Awareness Education at Schools

Indonesia Miss Transgender crowned in a slap for hard-liners

JAKARTA, Indonesia –  Transgender people and gay activists from across Indonesia have defied a wave of hatred against sexual minorities to crown a Miss Transgender at a national pageant held in absolute secrecy.

A handful of journalists were notified just a few hours in advance of the location of the event, held in the capital, Jakarta, to prevent any attempts by Islamic hard-liners to shut down the pageant. And because of the risk of discovery and violence, organizers asked those present not to post anything on social media during the contest.

Qienabh Tappii, a 28-year-old representing Jakarta who wore a figure-hugging, iridescent metallic gown, triumphed over more than 30 other contestants Friday night to be crowned Miss Waria Indonesia 2016. She will represent Indonesia at an international pageant to be held in Thailand next year. "Waria" is the Indonesian word for transgender, a term for people whose sense of their gender is different from their sex at birth.

"I'm very happy, I feel like I want to cry," said Tappii, standing next to a 2-meter (6.5-foot) -tall gold and red trophy while cradling a smaller one.

"Tonight is the beginning of my struggle for my rights as a waria," she said. "I want waria to be accepted, appreciated and understood in our society, and to be equal with other Indonesians. I will work really hard to achieve it."

The successful staging of the pageant was an important morale boost and self-affirmation for a community that is increasingly under siege.

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, is often held up as practicing a moderate form of Islam. But that reputation for tolerance has been undermined in the past year as the media and religious and political leaders stoked prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, framing them as a threat to the nation.

It was in part a backlash against the worldwide advance of LGBT rights, and in particular the success of the gay marriage movement in the U.S. and the high-profile battles there over whether transgender people can use the public bathrooms of the gender they identify with.

Indonesia's conservatives want to push LGBT people back into the margins of society and deny them legal rights. It's an agenda that has capitalized on low levels of awareness in a society where open discussion of sexuality is often frowned upon. But it also clashes with the traditions of some cultures in ethnically diverse Indonesia that have for centuries allowed space for different genders and sexual identities.

"If the public knew in advance that there will be such an event, those who use religion as their mask could attack us. That's why we kept it secret until the last minute," said pageant organizer Nancy Iskandar.

"The radicals are very arrogant. I'm afraid that it could erupt into physical confrontation," Iskandar said. "We don't want them to step on us forever. What's in it for them anyway? We're not doing any harm."

Opposition from hard-liners prevented the long-running event, which is organized by Putri Waria Indonesia Foundation and Indonesian Waria Communication Forum, from being held twice in recent years.

Indonesia's police often side with or look the other way when Islamic hard-liners attack or intimidate LGBT groups, religious minorities, women's rights groups and any cultural events they take exception to.

Fitri Pabentengi, a member of the Bugis ethic group, which recognizes five genders, said he traveled from Makassar on Sulawesi island — 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) to the east — for the pageant. In his community he is "bissu," one of the five genders, which roughly corresponds to androgynous. Bissu are traditionally priests or shamans.

"I came all the way from Makassar to show my solidarity," said Pabentengi. "We Indonesian waria have the same feelings, what they feel in Jakarta we also feel it in Makassar."

About 200 people filled the small theater for the finale of the high-energy showcase of idealized feminine beauty. Thirty-four transgender women vied for the title, competing over three days, though four dropped out because they feared the event might be disrupted.

Aside from Miss Transgender, there were a slew of other titles up for grabs, including most sexy, most intelligent and most beautiful skin.

"We want to show that waria can also do positive things," said Miss West Java, Dinda Syariff.

"People said that we are the scum of the society — that's so not true," Syariff said.

Source: Indonesia Miss Transgender crowned in a slap for hard-liners

East Jakarta residents hope to meet Ahok

East Cakung residents hope that Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama will visit their area along with Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat despite the animosity the gubernatorial candidates have faced of late from certain groups in some areas of the city.

Djarot visited the area in East Jakarta and met with the residents on Sunday.

"Pak Djarot, come here again with Pak Ahok," one of the residents shouted.

"So, Pak Ahok can come here?" Djarot asked residents on Jl. Kayu Tinggi.

"Sure, he may come," the residents responded.

"There are no refusals here," another resident was quoted by tribunnews.com as saying.

(Read also:Armed police guard Ahok campaign)

Recently, Ahok's visits to parts of the city have been met with protests from angry Jakartans and from people outside the official campaign areas.

Ahok decided on Thursday not to campaign at a big event despite securing a large security presence.

The decision was made after Ahok cancelled an event in the North Kedoya area of West Jakarta after seeing hundreds of armed anti-riot police officers deployed to secure the venue on Thursday.

Ahok's campaign team suspects that the recent protests were organized by certain parties. The campaign team plans to report them to the Jakarta Elections Supervisory Agency.

The agency has noted the protests and has called on people not to halt the campaigns of any governor candidates, saying that disrupting the campaign process could be considered a criminal act.

(jun)

Source: East Jakarta residents hope to meet Ahok

One Fuel Price Policy to be Implemented in January 2017

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arcandra Tahar said that one price fuel policy in a bid to equalize fuel price in Java and outside Java, especially in Papua, will be implemented in January 2017.

"It will be implemented in January but the legislation process of the policy has begun from now at the Minister of Law and Human Rights," Arcandra said in Bandung on Saturday.

The minister added that the policy is the manifestation of a just policy implemented by the government.

According to him, later on, the people anywhere in Indonesia ill have the price of subsidized fuel at the same price.

"It is expected that all Indonesian citizens will have equal access of sources of energy, including same fuel price," Arcandra said.

AJAT SUDRAJAT | ANTARA

Source: One Fuel Price Policy to be Implemented in January 2017

Capital flight fears sink Jakarta, Manila shares

A man stands next to an electronic stock board at the Indonesia Stock Exchange in Jakarta on Friday. (Reuters photo)

Most Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Friday over investor fears that a rise in US interest rates under President-elect Donald Trump would suck capital out of emerging markets.

Emerging Asian currencies, including the Malaysian ringgit and the Indonesian rupiah, and bonds lost ground as US bond yields soared on views Trump's spending plans would push up inflation. The dollar was on course for its best week in a year on Friday.

Feeble oil prices also added to the gloom as markets refocused on a persistent fuel supply overhang.

Indonesian and Philippine shares fell the most in the region, losing 4% and nearly 3%, respectively.

Indonesian shares closed at their lowest in two months, led by financials and consumer-oriented stocks, posting their biggest single-day percentage loss since August 2015 and the worst weekly performance in nearly 12 months. PT Bank Central Asia Tbk, the biggest bank by market value, finished 2.8% weaker.

"Investors look to Indonesia when they think about emerging Asian markets and the resurfacing concern on trade likely weighed more heavily on the market," said Jingyi Pan, a market strategist with IG Asia in Singapore. 

Indonesian markets have enjoyed relatively high inflows into its stock and bonds markets in the past few months, making them vulnerable to hot money outflows in times of uncertainty.

Philippine shares fell, dragged down by consumer and industrial stocks. The index has lost 3.5% on the week, its worst weekly performance since January.

Malaysian stocks closed at their lowest in more than four months, hurt by telecom and financials, with the Malaysian central bank acting to try to defend its currency. Foreign investors net sold 690.9 million ringgit ($161.43 million) worth of shares. The index ended lower for a second consecutive week.

Southeast Asian stock markets

 

 

Current

Previous

% change

Indonesia

5,231.97

5,450.30

-4.01

Malaysia

  1,634.19

1,652.74

-1.12

Philippines

6,975.09

7,181.80

-2.88

Singapore

2,814.60

2,834.09

-0.96

Vietnam

679.02

678.17

-0.15

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Source: Capital flight fears sink Jakarta, Manila shares

Indonesia verifying death of chief ISIL member in Iraq

World Bulletin / News Desk

A team of Indonesian security officials has traveled to Syria to verify reports that a national accused of recruiting members for ISIL has been killed in fighting.

His wife also in the region is reported to have confirmed his death to relatives.

National police spokesman Inspector Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said on Thursday that the family of Salim Mubarok Attamimi -- also known as Abu Jandal al Yemeni al Indonesi -- has said he was killed in fighting in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.

"The information we received from Abu Jandal's mother confirmed it [his death]," said Amar. "But it still needs further investigation."

Abu Jandal is one of two Indonesians suspected of having prominent roles in ISIL.

He appeared in a video uploaded to YouTube in December 2014 in which he threatened Indonesia's army and police.

Relatives in Indonesia were notified of his death based off information obtained from his wife, who traveled to Syria with Abu Jandal and their two children in 2014.

Amar said police are coordinating with the foreign ministry in their probe and will seek to transport his body to Indonesia for identification.

Petrus Gosolle of the National Counterextremism Agency was quoted by kompas.com as saying that a team had left Indonesia to travel to Damascus and Iraq as part of the investigation.

On Thursday, Abu Jandal's sister Fauziah said that the family had come to terms with his death and did not expect him to return.

"His body must already have been buried there," she said.

In January, two Indonesians who were arrested after returning home from Syria -- Ahmad Junaedi and Abdul Hakim -- told a Jakarta court that Abu Jandal had offered them large financial incentives to travel to the region, only for them to be left disappointed on arriving.

Last month, the coordinating minister for political, legal, and security affairs said around 53 Indonesians radicalized by ISIL had so far returned.

According to national police data, around 500 Indonesians have joined ISIL in Syria, although the true number could be much higher as many are suspected of arriving in the country undetected.

AA

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Source: Indonesia verifying death of chief ISIL member in Iraq

Trump victory provokes global shock and angst

Vice president-elect Mike Pence and Republican president-elect Donald Trump shake hands during his election night event at the New York Hilton Midtown in the early morning hours of November 9, 2016 in New York City. Donald Trump defeated Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton to become the 45th president of the United States. Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP

Donald Trump's improbable victory in the US presidential election provoked global shock and angst on Wednesday over the implications for everything from trade to human rights and climate change.

The bombastic billionaire defeated Hillary Clinton in a result that few predicted, as millions of American voters shrugged off concerns over his temperament, lack of experience, and accusations of sexist and racist behaviour.

Trump's rise has been keenly watched abroad as he campaigned on a platform of trashing trade agreements, questioning alliances, restricting immigration and dismissing climate change.

In often hushed scenes, many attendees at election-watching events around Asia expressed deep misgivings about Trump taking the reins of the world's most powerful nation and economy.

Dianita Sugiyo, 34, a university lecturer in Indonesia — the world's most populous Muslim country — said she was concerned by Trump's calls to temporarily ban Muslims from countries with histories of terrorism.

"He has always been anti-Muslim and I am afraid he will discriminate against Muslims," said Sugiyo, a member of a leading Indonesian moderate Muslim organisation.

"The United States is a multicultural country and there are a lot of Muslims there, so this is very terrifying," she added, speaking at a US embassy event in Jakarta.

The election of an opponent of free trade caused financial markets across Asia to plunge, with Tokyo's main index tumbling more than 5 percent, while stock futures on US and European markets also fell when they opened.

"The world is globalising and if the US, which is one of the economic powerhouses, is going to put up walls, I don't see that as good for the world economy," said Clarita Carlos, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines.

"They can practically slow down economic growth for everybody. He is a businessman. He should know better."

– 'Dangerous' for the planet –Trump has vowed to ditch the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, perhaps President Barack Obama's main diplomatic legacy in the region.

Tang Siew Mun, head of the ASEAN Studies Centre at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, said such moves would severely damage the US in a region where China is posing a growing leadership challenge.

"For us in the region, we ask these questions: does America still stand for free trade as far as TPP is concerned? Will America stand for and engage internationally as a global leader?" he said, speaking on Channel NewsAsia.

Environmentalists also recoiled, as Trump has threatened previously to "cancel" the historic UN pact struck last year to address climate change.

"What have we become?" asked Greenpeace Southeast Asia's Executive Director Yeb Sano.

"On climate change, clearly this is a massive blow to our prospects of progress and hope that the Paris Agreement had given us."

At election events around the region, American Democratic supporters gradually deflated as Trump's victory materialised, while Republicans were buoyed.

Bradley Jordan, a retired 59-year-old Californian in Bangkok, said a Trump win would "throw the whole world upside down."

"It's dangerous for the planet. If Trump wins, we will do nothing about climate change and the planet will be screwed. I just can't believe this is happening right now," he said, adding he was contemplating renouncing his US citizenship.

Even some Republicans expressed surprise at Trump's win.

"To be honest we didn't really think he would win," Kym Kettler-Paddock, a US Republican, said at an election event in Hong Kong.

She said the panic over Trump would subside as he makes it known what sort of leader he would be.

"I think after that transition period (the uncertainty) would settle down," she said.

Others, however, pointed to Trump's friendly comments toward the likes of Russian President Vladimir Putin as indicating America may no longer carry the torch for human rights.

"The fact that authoritarian leaders around the region find hope in the possible election of Donald Trump as president is a telling indicator of what they think his policies on human rights will be," said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch.

Source: Trump victory provokes global shock and angst

Divisive politics and discontent of urban poor factors behind Jakarta unrest

Like so many conflicts before it, this one started with a seemingly innocuous comment. On Sept 26, incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (better known as "Ahok") told a small crowd in Jakarta's Thousand Islands Regency not to be "fooled" by those who say that it would be a sin for a Muslim to vote for a non-Muslim leader. Referring specifically to Verse 51 Al-Maidah of the Quran, Ahok said that voters should follow their guts when voting and not be influenced by religious provocation.

This comment may have gone unnoticed if someone else in different political circumstances had said it. However, Ahok is an ethnic Chinese and a Christian, the first "double minority" to be elected to Jakarta's top office.

Ahok has a sharp tongue and is known for his tough city management policies, such as the swift evictions in Jakarta's slum areas. Ahok is also currently running for governor in Jakarta's upcoming provincial elections to be held on Feb 15 next year. Rather than attacking his policies, Ahok's political opponents have frequently attacked his ethnicity and religion.

When footage of his comment went viral on social media, his opponents got the loaded gun they had been waiting for.

What resulted was one of the biggest mass demonstrations in Indonesia's recent memory where, after Friday midday prayers last week, approximately 150,000 Muslims took to the main streets of downtown Jakarta to demand Ahok's prosecution for blasphemy against Islam.

Jakarta is used to almost daily demonstrations, but for weeks in the lead-up to this one, the city was gripped by uncharacteristic fear, not least because the rhetoric surrounding the demonstration became increasingly racist and violent in tone.

Muslim hardliners clashing with anti-riot policemen during a protest against Jakarta's ethnic Chinese Christian governor, Mr Basuki, last Friday. PHOTO: REUTERS

Banners inciting anti-Chinese violence popped up around the city, invoking painful memories of the May 1998 riots, particularly for the city's ethnic Chinese population.

Organised by Islamic vigilante organisation the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), together with a number of other hardline Islamist groups, what began as a relatively peaceful demonstration quickly turned violent when protesters refused to disperse following news that President Joko Widodo had declined to meet them.

Neither Ahok's public apology, a message for calm from moderate Muslim leaders, nor Mr Joko's assurance of due judicial process for the blasphemy investigation were enough to calm the increasingly violent protesters.

Occupying the front of the State Palace and the Parliament House, violent mobs looted mini-markets, burned parked cars, and threatened to attack the Chinese-majority residential complex where Ahok and his family live.

On Saturday morning, as the protesters slowly dispersed and the city's cleaners cleared away the mess from Friday's violence, Jakartans were left reflecting upon the gravity of what had happened and what the future holds amid fears that the next few months of the gubernatorial campaign may be marred by more sectarian and xenophobic violence.

The truth is, while it would be easy to simplify the demonstration as an anti-blasphemy or even as an anti-Chinese protest, the political and socio-economic contexts of Friday's mass mobilisation tell a more complex story.

For the FPI as the main motor behind the demonstration, the public outrage following Ahok's Al-Maidah comment gave them the perfect opportunity for a show of force and intimidation. Ever since taking office - first as vice-governor in 2012 and then governor in 2014 following Mr Joko's ascendance to the presidency - Ahok has been the only politician brave enough to publicly demand the disbanding of the small but influential Islamic vigilante group.

So far, the FPI has been very successful in appealing to Jakarta's urban poor. However, for many, much of this has less to do with Islamic piety and more to do with the urban poor's anger towards Ahok's aggressive campaign of forced evictions and displacements.

Among these largely forgotten urban poor, conspiracy theories of ethnic Chinese developers pulling the strings behind Ahok's eviction policies have found fertile ground. In this already hostile environment, rumours of Ahok's alleged insult to the Quran were the final straw.

Ahok has done the right thing by submitting himself to due judicial process on the blasphemy accusation. In the future, he would also be wise to show more empathy in listening to the urban poor.

This entire issue must also be seen as part of a greater power play among the higher echelons of Indonesian politics. With the major political parties treating the all-important Jakarta gubernatorial election as an initial battleground in the lead-up to the 2019 presidential election, an attack towards Mr Joko's ally Ahok is also an attack towards Mr Joko's credibility and strength as a leader.

Mr Joko himself has drawn attention to this fact, stating on Saturday morning that various "political actors" have opportunistically used the Friday demonstration to achieve their own political ends.

Friday's mass demonstration was the product of longstanding religious, class, ethnic, and political power struggles, packaged together in dangerous hate speech by those who understand the potency of xenophobic rhetoric in Indonesia.

It presents the sobering reality that despite almost two decades of reform, religious and anti-Chinese sentiment still provides convenient rallying points for angry mobs in times of political instability.

Ahok has done the right thing by submitting himself to due judicial process on the blasphemy accusation. In the future, he would also be wise to show more empathy in listening to the urban poor.

On their part, Mr Joko and his government need to be much tougher in dealing with racist and religious attacks towards public office-holders and in society more generally.

This is especially so in the coming months as Jakarta and over 100 other regional areas prepare for simultaneous direct regional elections in February next year.

•The author is a visiting fellow in the Indonesia Studies Programme at the Iseas - Yusof Ishak Institute.

Source: Divisive politics and discontent of urban poor factors behind Jakarta unrest

One dead, 12 hurt at Indonesia protest against Jakarta governor

The Foreign Ministry said that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's trip to Australia would be rescheduled because "current development has required the president to stay in Indonesia".

National police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar told a news conference Saturday that one elderly man died from asthma attack after being exposed to tear gas, and more than 90 police and soldiers were injured, eight of them seriously.

"We regret the event at night when the protestors should have disbanded but instead turned to rioting", Joko said.

Up to 150,000 people are estimated to have marched through the capital, shutting down major streets as they demanded the immediate jailing of Jakarta's governor over comments he made about the Koran.

Ethnic Chinese make up about one percent of Indonesia's 250 million people, and they typically do not enter politics.

She said jihadist-run accounts on social media urged sympathizers of these groups to fan the flame of jihad in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation.

"He is not Muslim but he humiliated the Quran", protester Muhammad Said told Reuters news agency. The verse implies that Muslims should not choose non-Muslims as leaders.

Fifteen people were arrested for looting a minimart in north Jakarta, while 10 were being investigated for allegedly whipping up violence, Amar said, noting that the two incidents were not directly related.

Ethnic Chinese have born the brunt of social unrest in Indonesia, partly due to their perceived wealth.

The protest was triggered by accusations that Purnama, better known by his nickname Ahok, insulted Islam by criticizing opponents who used Koranic references to attack him ahead of an election in February.

"We are here because we want to defend the verses of God that have been abused by Ahok", said Nasrullah Achmad, who came from Bekasi, a Jakarta satellite city, with dozens of others from his Islamic study group. The banner reads: "Put Ahok in prison".

He has a reputation as a no-nonsense reformer with little patience for the corruption widely blamed for the chaos of an overcrowded city, and remains popular despite the protests.

Riding into the crowd on top of a truck with large loudspeakers attached to it, the head of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Rizieq Syihab wore a green turban and a white top - the colours of the hardline group.

Mr Widodo, a Muslim, has vowed not to interfere in any legal proceedings against Mr Purnama, who is an ally of the president.

Indonesia Institute president Ross Taylor said the cancelled visit would be a great disappointment for two leaders who had overseen a very strong rebuild of the bilateral relationship.

They alleged that his opponents in next year's gubernatorial election had used a verse in the Koran to deceive voters to prevent him from winning another term.

"[The candidates] need a good communication strategy to ensure that their chances of winning are still high", he said.

"Upholding the law is an obligation", the Front's leader, Rizieq Shihab, said as she stood on top of a vehicle outside the palace.

Source: One dead, 12 hurt at Indonesia protest against Jakarta governor

Indonesian president Joko Widodo cancels Australia visit amid protests in Jakarta

Indonesian Muslim protesters march during a demonstration in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Friday. Indonesian president Joko Widodo has postponed his visit to Australia . Photograph: Xinhua / Barcroft Images

Indonesian president Joko Widodo has cancelled his imminent visit to Australia after violent Islamist protests erupted in Jakarta.

President Widodo – known as Jokowi – was set to arrive on Sunday for a three-day visit to meet his Australian counterpart, prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, as well as other ministers and business leaders. He was also scheduled to address the Australian parliament on Monday.

However, protests in the streets of Jakarta, which began peacefully on Friday in response to accusations the governor, a Christian, had insulted the Qur'an, turned violent.

Turnbull said he had received a call from Jokowi on Saturday afternoon to express regret that his trip would have to be rescheduled "as a result of the security situation in Jakarta which requires his personal attention".

"I said we were sorry we would not be able to welcome him to Australia tomorrow but entirely understood the need for him to remain in Indonesia at this time," said Turnbull.

"While disappointing, we agreed the postponement will not affect the need for continued and enhanced cooperation across a range of shared interests and challenges, including the threat of terrorism to our region."

In September, the Jakarta governor, Basuki Tjahja Purnama, was accused by Muslim groups of insulting the religion after he said political opponents had used a verse of the Qur'an to deceive voters and tell them they should not choose non-Muslims as leaders. Critics interpreted his comments as a criticism of the Qur'an, and he apologised.

Purnama, the first ethnic Chinese to lead the Indonesian capital, is up for re-election in February.

Islamic demonstrators march in central Jakarta after a day of protest on Friday. Photograph: Ed Wray/Getty Images

Jokowi called for calm as the protests – which swelled to an estimated 150,000 people following Friday prayers – escalated later in the night, and hit out at unnamed politicians for stoking the situation.

"We deplore the incident after the Isha prayers, when should have already disbanded but became violent. And, we see this was steered by political actors who were exploiting the situation," he said.

Widodo, a Muslim, has vowed not to interfere in any legal proceedings against Purnama, according to media reports. But he said at his news conference that any legal process involving Purnama would be executed "swiftly, firmly and transparently".

One protester has died, reportedly of an asthma attack, and 12 were injured in early skirmishes but reports later emerged of dozens of protesters and security personnel being treated for injuries. Police fired teargas and a watercannon at the crowds gathered around the presidential palace. More than 18,000 personnel and military were deployed ahead of the rallies, the national police chief, General Tito, said.

Turnbull said the visit would be rescheduled as soon as "mutually convenient dates" were found.

Negotiations on the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement would continue, he said.

Source: Indonesian president Joko Widodo cancels Australia visit amid protests in Jakarta

Indonesian president blames 'political actors' for stoking Jakarta blasphemy protests

Thousands of people clash with anti-riot police during a rally demanding Jakarta's Christian governor resign. Photograph: Jefta Images / Barcroft Images

Indonesian president Joko Widodo lashed out at politicians for stoking a huge protest that briefly turned violent on Friday night as a hardcore group pressed for the resignation of Jakarta's governor, a Christian accused of insulting the Qur'an.

The first ethnic Chinese politician to lead this sprawling city of 10 million people, Basuki Tjahja Purnama is standing for re-election in February, competing with two Muslim candidates for the job.

The governorship of the capital is a powerful position and was a stepping stone for Joko Widodo to the presidency two years ago.

At a news conference in the early hours of Saturday, Widodo called for calm and took a swipe at politicians – whom he didn't name – for whipping up demonstrators after most had already gone home.

"We deplore the incident after the Isha prayers, when should have already disbanded but became violent. And, we see this was steered by political actors who were exploiting the situation," Widodo said.

During the protest police fired tear gas and water cannon to subdue the crowd that authorities said swelled to about 150,000 after Friday prayers as they congregated around the presidential palace.

Some protesters threw rocks at the police, two vehicles were torched and a fire broke out near the city's national monument, but by the evening the demonstration was fizzling out.

However, in a northern neighbourhood of the city there was a late-night clash between police and a few dozen protesters, and social media reports showed a convenience store being looted.

Hundreds camped out until around four in the morning beside the parliament building, demanding Purnama be charged with blasphemy.

A police spokesman said one person died and 12 were hurt. Local media said about 23 people were arrested, most of them in the north, where overnight police guarded shopping and residential areas that are home to predominantly non-Muslims.

About a dozen Muslim groups have accused Purnama of insulting Islam after he said his opponents had used a verse from the Qur'an to deceive voters. The verse implies that Muslims should not choose non-Muslims as leaders.

Chanting "God is greatest", many in Friday's protest waved placards calling for Purnama, popularly known as Ahok, to be jailed for blasphemy. A white banner hung at an overpass was painted with red letters that read "Hang Ahok here".

Police are investigating the case against Purnama, who has apologised for his remarks, insisting he was not criticising the Qur'anic verse but those who used it to attack him.

Purnama has a reputation as a no-nonsense reformer with little patience for the corruption widely blamed for the chaos and dilapidated infrastructure in an overcrowded city.

He remains popular despite efforts by Muslim groups to vilify him and is seen as the frontrunner in the election, though many voters are angry with him for evicting large numbers from slums to modernise Jakarta.

Widodo, a Muslim, has vowed not to interfere in any legal proceedings against Purnama, according to media reports. But he said at his news conference that any legal process involving Purnama would be executed "swiftly, firmly and transparently".

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country, but protests on such a large scale are rare. Ethnic Chinese make up just over one per cent of the country's 250 million people, and they typically do not enter politics.

Indonesian Chinese have faced persecution and violence in the past, especially during the political and social turmoil that gripped Jakarta when former president Suharto was toppled.

On Saturday Widodo cancelled a planned three-day visit to Australia, citing the security situation in Jakarta.

Source: Indonesian president blames 'political actors' for stoking Jakarta blasphemy protests

Jakarta protest: Thousands of Muslims gather to demand jailing of Christian governor Ahok

Thousands of Indonesians took to the streets on Friday, demanding the arrest of Jakarta's Chinese Christian governor in a mass demonstration that was largely peaceful despite the massive turnout.

Indonesian Muslims demand the arrest of Jakarta's Christian Governor Ahok. Photo: Roni Bintang

People join the protests from their windows in Jakarta. Photo: Roni Bintang

Dr Ratman, whose organisation is feeding protesters outside the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta. Photo: Roni Bintang

People gather in Jakarta to protest against Jakarta governor Ahok, whom they accuse of blasphemy. Photo: Roni Bintang

A protester outside Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on Friday afternoon. Photo: Roni Bintang

Community house Rumah Amanah Rakyat has prepared thousands of meals for people attending the Friday protests in Jakarta. Photo: Roni Bintang

Demonstrators rally in Jakarta on Friday to demand the arrest of the city's governor, Ahok. Photo: Jewel Topsfield

Demonstrators rally in Jakarta on Friday to demand the arrest of the city's governor. Photo: Jewel Topsfield

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Jakarta: Thousands of Indonesians took to the streets on Friday, demanding the arrest of Jakarta's Chinese Christian governor in a mass demonstration that was largely peaceful despite the massive turnout.

Muslim hardliners want Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, widely known as Ahok, to be jailed for allegedly insulting the Koran.

About 20,000 police and military personnel secured the site of the demonstration in Central Jakarta amid fears it would be hijacked by extremists keen to foment violence.

"Arrest and try Ahok and his cronies dead or alive," read a sign suspended from the mosque.

Several embassies, including those from Australia and the US, warned their citizens to stay away from the protests, and some schools in the capital closed.

But there were no reports of violence despite the huge numbers of demonstrators, which CNN reported police had put at 200,000.

Ahok is being investigated by police for alleged blasphemy, after he claimed voters had been deceived by his opponents who attacked him using a verse from the Koran.

Some Islamic groups had urged voters not to re-elect Ahok on the basis of verse 51 from the fifth sura or chapter of the Koran, al-Ma'ida, which some interpret as prohibiting Muslims from living under the leadership of a non-Muslim.

Ahok, who earlier said he would spend Friday campaigning in urban villages known as kampungs, has apologised for the offence caused by his comments.

Dr Ratman, who goes by only one name and whose community house Rumah Amanah Rakyat prepared thousands of meals for protesters, and coordinated 50 ambulances, said if the president did not ask the police to arrest Ahok, he should "step down like Suharto".

It is estimated more than 1000 people died in 1998 riots which began as a protest against the Suharto regime but often targeted ethnic Chinese, looting and burning their shops.

"People will not accept it if Ahok is free. He has insulted Islam and Islam is our belief. The best thing is for the President [Joko Widodo] to instruct the police to arrest Ahok before the worst happens," Dr Ratman told Fairfax Media.

"The President looks like he is protecting Ahok. Who is Ahok? What has he done for this country? Nothing."

Jakarta had been on tenterhooks in the days leading up to the protest, which has ignited ugly anti-Chinese sentiment throughout the country.

Agah, from Cakung in East Jakarta, said he attended the rally to defend Islam and protest against religious defamation. He said according to Islamic law the punishment for religious defamation was stoning.

"We do not apply Islamic law so he must be legally processed with a minimum imprisonment of 10 years," Agah said.

Helicopters chakk-chakked over head as tens of thousands of protesters marched from Istiqlal Mosque towards the presidential palace in Jakarta.

At times it was impossible to move as the streets heaved with people.

Demonstrators sang: "Hang Ahok, Hang Ahok, do it now" - to the tune of a popular birthday song urging that the cake be cut now.

The governor had this week told rally organizers they were welcome to protest as long as they didn't trample on the street gardens.

"Don't step on the gardens, step on Ahok," yelled one man.

They brandished signs saying: "We love the police - punish the man who insults the Koran."

A presidential spokesman said President Jokowi had ordered his chief security minister Wiranto and state secretary to receive 25 representatives at the Palace.

The president himself had spent the day working as usual, receiving two ministers in the morning and then inspecting the progress of the airport train in the afternoon.

In the absence of any violent incidents, television coverage of the demonstation reverted to colour stories, such as a 35 per cent increase in the profit turned by street vendors.

Demonstrators organised a team of volunteers to clean up the rubbish tossed in the streets.

Ian Wilson, from the Asia Research Centre at Murdoch University, said it was important to consider some of the context of the protests. He said since taking office as governor in 2014, Ahok had presided over one of the most aggressive eviction campaigns in the modern history of the city.

"What many have failed to consider, or simply ignored, is the massive groundswell of anger and resentment generated by this policy regime. It has spread far beyond the tens of thousands directly impacted through extended family, friends, neighbours and social, cultural and work networks," he wrote in New Mandala.

"This anger has, unsurprisingly, sought to find avenues of expression and amelioration."

"Reliable statistics on the numbers directly affected are difficult to come by. However, reports compiled by the Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation estimate that more than 16,000 overwhelmingly poor and working class families have been displaced in the past two years alone. Only 30 per cent have been offered any alternative accommodation, the social and economic impacts of which have been devastating."

The story Jakarta protest: Thousands of Muslims gather to demand jailing of Christian governor Ahok first appeared on The Sydney Morning Herald.

Source: Jakarta protest: Thousands of Muslims gather to demand jailing of Christian governor Ahok