While Carrying Torches, Hundreds Of Residents Resistant To LGBT At Dukuh Atas CFW Location

JAKARTA - Hundreds of residents of Tanah Abang Sub-district ranging from children to adults, both women and men, enthusiastically participated in the torch parade which was held at the Dukuh Atas zebra cross where Citayam Fashion Week (CFW) was being held, Jalan Tanjung Karang, Central Jakarta, Friday, July 29, evening.

They continued to recite the prophet's salawat while carrying torches along Jalan Tanjung Karang, Dukuh Atas area, Tanah Abang.

From the observations of VOI at the location, apart from carrying torches made of bamboo sticks, the torch parade participants also brought a number of props such as banners and posters containing writings against all forms of LGBT in the Dukuh Atas area, Tanah Abang.

Tanah Abang Youth Leader, Heru Nuryaman, who led the torch relay representing the Tanah Abang community who are members of the Guyub Tenabang Rukun from various organizations and other elements, strongly criticized the LGBT gathering event at the CFW in the Dukuh Atas area.

"We can be creative here, we can show talent here but please maintain the norms of decency in our village," he said at the location, Friday, July 29, evening.

The reading of the Prophet's salawat from the participants of the torch relay continues to rumble in the CFW area. Tanah Abang residents reject the existence of LGBT people who often hold fashion shows in Tanah Abang. Even the shouts of rejection of LGBT were also echoed by the recitation children of the torch parade participants.

"Takbir, Allahuakbar. Takbir Allahuakbar," shouted the torch relay participants.

Heru added, actually, visitors to Dukuh Atas from various cities can do creative activities in the Dukuh Atas area. However, with the exception of the existence of LGBT people, people reject it.

"You can be creative, you can't get together with LGBT people. You can take care of the customary norms in our village, keep our religious culture, you can be creative. LGBT people are not allowed," said Heru.

The torch relay activity was closely monitored by the joint apparatus. The joint forces guarded the security of the torch relay which had heated up because of the LGBT community.

"Please note, for creativity it is okay but don't mention what is our culture and religion. I thank the TNI and Polri for maintaining this activity. We are moving again so there will be no more traffic jams," he explained.

As many as 90 joint military and police personnel were deployed to guard the Dukuh Atas area on the night of 1 Muharram.

The Head of the Tanah Abang Metro Police, Kompol Haris Kurniawan, said that this particular evening, because Tanah Abang residents were carrying out torch relay activities, his party strengthened security by deploying dozens of joint personnel.

"Approximately 90 personnel are deployed. Combined officers from the Polsek, Polres and Polda as well as Satpol PP. We involve not a few personnel," he told VOI at the location.