Dicky Christanto, Jakarta – National Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Lt. Gen. Marciano Norman says provocateurs are believed to be behind a string of violent rallies across the country.

He expects people to be very careful and smart in order to avoid unnecessary violence. "These provocateurs intend to undermine government stability. We must act to prevent this," Marciano told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

Marciano, however, refused to reveal further information regarding the alleged provocateurs, saying that it might only worsen the situation. "Instead of unveiling further information about these provocateurs, I prefer to share my experience with the public on how to hold a protest," he said.

He said he was a supporter of democracy, in which people were given freedom to speak their minds. "Thus, I do want to see people staging rallies, expressing their worries and protesting the government, but not in harm's way," said Marciano.

A mass rally recently turned to violence in Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, in which around 10,000 people set the Bima regent's office on fire in protest of the regent's decision to revoke a local miner's license.