Callistasia Anggun Wijaya, Jakarta – The National Police asserted they have enough information to explain to the public about the potential of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's expulsion during mass rallies planned for Nov. 25 and Dec. 2.
National Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said the police first learned about the possible expulsion of Jokowi during the two planned rallies before they shared their concerns to the public.
"The National Police chief [Gen. Tito Karnavian] conveyed the expulsion issue based on information we had reviewed. It's not raw information," he said at the police's Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) on Tuesday.
Rikwanto was speaking to respond to House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Fadli Zon, who criticized Tito's statement on the possible expulsion of Jokowi, during which protesters would reportedly occupy the House compound in Senayan, Central Jakarta, during their Nov. 25 rally.
Speaking to journalists on Monday evening, Fadli said the information still needed further clarification because it might trigger public confusion and increase security tensions. The police must filter raw information received before they release it to the public, he explained.
Rikwanto refused to reveal the basis of the police's conviction on Jokowi's expulsion potential, however. "We can't reveal when and how we received information about it. This information is for internal purposes," he said.
Rikwanto said the police kept collecting information about the President's expulsion potential. Should attacks against the government occur during the rallies, the police were ready to act firmly according to the law. (ebf)