The Urgency of the Edict Regarding Demonstration on December 2nd, 2016

Earlier, the GNPF-MUI stated that it would hold a peaceful rally on Dec. 2 to call for the arrest of non-active Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, who had been named a suspect in a blasphemy case on Nov. 16. However, that he believed the planned Dec. 2 rally would be unrelated to Ahok's alleged blasphemy because authorities have taken legal measures in the case.

Responding on a current situation, the National Police is set to make an announcement that prohibits participants of a planned rally organized by the National Movement to Save the Indonesian Ulema Council's Edicts (GNPF-MUI) for Dec. 2 to use Jakarta's thoroughfares to ensure public order.

National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian says carrying out a demonstration is the constitutional right of every Indonesian citizen, however, it should be conducted in a way that does not disrupt public order. "If protesters block roads in carrying out their rally, it will disturb people's activities. It will also cause traffic gridlock," Tito said at National Police headquarters, on Monday.
 
He was responding to GNPF-MUI spokesman Habib Rizieq's statement, which said the Dec. 2 protesters would carry out Friday prayers across the capital's two main roads, namely Jl. MH Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman.

Tito said if demonstrators insisted on holding their rally on those roads, the police would disperse them and act firmly to anyone who opposed the police. Violent protesters would be charged with articles 212 to 218 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) on attacks against public officials. Tito said he would also instruct police chiefs across the country to prohibit residents from their respective areas to come to Jakarta to join the rally. Tito said the police were working on completing Ahok's case dossier as quickly as possible so that he could face trial The National Police have prepared anticipatory measures to secure two anti-government rallies scheduled for Nov. 25 and Dec. 2, during which millions of people will reportedly take to the streets across Jakarta to demand the resignation of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, a high-ranking officer said on Monday. National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said the police had obtained information that protesters might occupy the compound of the House of Representatives during the Nov. 25 rally.
 
"There will be a protest at the House complex on Nov. 25. There is speculation that several groups of protesters will enter the House compound and occupy it. According to existing rules, this is an unlawful action," he said. Tito said the police, supported by military personnel, would beef up security in areas around the House complex during the Nov. 25 rally. The police also claim that they will act firmly against any protesters who violate the law.
 
Tito said participants in the Dec. 2 rally, which will be organized by the National Movement to Save the Indonesian Ulema Council's Edicts (GNPF-MUI), would hold Friday prayers on two main roads in Central Jakarta, starting from Jl. MH Thamrin to Jl. Jend. Sudirman.

The Urgency of Edict
    
The urgency of Edict has perfectly planned regarding the plan of mass rally on December 2nd, 2016 because the National Police, security apparatus and an intelligence communities have seen a number of hard indication which has massively been circulated on mass media and a social media too, including propaganda and hoax.
    
I think the National Police efforts must be supported because the edict has strong base of law, protecting society human rights whom majority didn't respect to the plan of mass rally on December 2nd, 2016, maintaining social and security situation, to protect and to guarantee democracy could be smoothly implemented because if the end of mass rallies is a riots, its could be damaged a democracy value itself and those edict as anticipation steps to thwarted some of radicals group which was colaborated with post power syndrome groups and others interest group which have been struggling their political intention to impeachment to the legal government.
    
Actually, the plan of mass rally on December 2nd, 2016 has been politized with an interest groups which was claimed religious group or labour group which joined at the Confederation of Indonesian Workers Unions (KSPI) has planned labour strike on December 2nd, 2016 didn't have a symphaty from other labour group itself, moslem moderate communities because their manuevre could be endangered the diversity of Indonesia.    

However, the edict demonstration which has been launched by the National Police didn't harm democracy itself, even its could be saved democracy from the manuevre of some of group which have intention to impeach the legal government.

*) The writer is a national political issues. Resides in Jakarta.