Rizieq Liberation Demonstration At The Palace, Central Jakarta Police Chief: I Remind You, Disband Yourself Immediately

Central Jakarta Police Chief Kombes Heru Novianto (Diah Ayu Wardani / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Head of the Central Jakarta Police, Kombes Heru Novianto, asked the participants of the demonstration to demand the release of Rizieq Shihab, who is currently detained in connection with a case of alleged incitement and violation of health protocols, to disband.

He said there are health protocol rules that prohibit crowds during a pandemic.

"COVID-19 in Jakarta is still high. Please return, you must be healthy and safe according to the health protocol rules. There are no crowds. I remind you to disperse immediately," Heru said.

He said that, when the participant's command car came to the demonstration site around the State Palace, Jakarta, Friday, December 18.

Situation of the demonstration of the release of Rizieq Shihab (Diah Ayu Wardani / VOI)

Previously, Polda Metro Jaya emphasized that it would not issue a crowd permit related to the demonstration plan of elements of society who are members of the National Anti-Communist Alliance (ANAK) NKRI.

This demonstration demands the release of Rizieq Shihab, who is currently detained in connection with a violation of the health protocol.

A total of 12,500 joint personnel from the TNI-Polri and the Regional Government (Pemda) of DKI Jakarta were deployed to guard the 1812 demonstration around the State Palace, Central Jakarta.

Originally, this demonstration demanded the release of Rizieq Shihab, who is currently detained in connection with an alleged case of sedition and violation of health protocols. However, not all officers were immediately deployed.

"For strength (security), we will deploy 5,000 personnel," said Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Yusri Yunus.

Personnel guarding the demonstration for Rizieq's release.

Meanwhile, as many as 7,500 personnel are alerted or reserved. Currently they are stationed at several points which will later be deployed if the situation is deemed unfavorable.

"We have prepared 7,500 reserves. Where are the reserves? At Monas, in the DPR as well as at the Regional Police and in battalions by the army," said Yusri.