Safrin La Batu, Jakarta – Several lawmakers from opposition parties at the House of Representatives have criticized National Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian for claiming that the planned rally on Friday has the potential to be directed toward overthrowing President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.
House deputy speaker Fadli Zon, who is also a politician from the Gerindra Party, said Thursday that the police should have studied the statement on planned treason carefully before sharing it with the public.
"Because this is a serious statement [...] people will react to the statement differently; some might be scared, some might run off with their money," said Fadli.
Similarly, Benny K. Harman, a member of commission III, which oversees legal and security affairs, said Tito's statement would have a negative impact on the country both politically and economically.
"Because a statement made public without its accuracy being double-checked beforehand tends to make our economic market panic," the Democratic Party politician said, adding that the statement could also make members of society suspicious of one another.
On Monday, Tito claimed that according to intelligence, there was a plan for "treason" against the President in the Friday rally.
Several Muslim conservative groups have planned to hold two large-scale rallies, on Friday and on Dec. 2, to demand the immediate arrest of incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama over his remarks of alleged blasphemy. (jun)