Ezra Sihite & Hangga Brata – Opposition lawmaker Eva Kusuma Sundari on Saturday accused the Islamic Defenders Front of trying to sabotage Solo Mayor Joko Widodo's bid for the Jakarta governorship.
After 500 members of the hardline group known as FPI instigated a conflict with locals in Solo's Gandekan village on Friday and injured two people, Eva said the incident was part of a "black campaign" to undermine the security credentials of Joko, better known as Jokowi.
Jokowi and his running mate Basuki "Ahok" Purnama are backed by Eva's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) in the upcoming elections, scheduled for July 11.
"As we've suspected, attacks on Jokowi-Ahok are intensifying ahead of the gubernatorial election. They are aimed at lowering the electability of the pair as they're getting more popular," Eva said in a press statement on Saturday.
The FPI mob was hunting members of a local gang led by one Iwan Wallet, according to Solo-based Seruu Radio.
"The clash between FPI and Wallet had been planned nearing the weekend, when Jokowi was scheduled to campaign in Jakarta. It was intended to create an impression that Jokowi is unable to maintain security," Eva said. "This is a black campaign," she added. Jokowi is one of six candidates running for Jakarta's governorship.
The others are incumbent Fauzi Bowo, South Sumatra Governor Alex Noerdin, former People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker Hidayat Nurwahid, economist Faisal Basri and retired military general Hendardji Soepandji. The latter two are running as independents. (BeritaSatu/JG)