Jakarta – A massive demonstration against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama on Friday cost the agency around Rp 60 million (US$4,620) to restore a pocket park in front of City Hall accidentally destroyed by demonstrators, an official has said.
Djafar Muchlisin, the Jakarta Parks and Cemeteries Agency head, announced on Saturday that a pocket park on the median strip of Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta, had been damaged by demonstrators conducting rally in front of City Hall. However, he claimed that the demonstrators didn't intend to step on and damage plants on the median strip.
"It happened because roads in front of City Hall couldn't accommodate the large number of demonstrators," Djafar said as quoted by tribunnews.com. The agency restored the 300-square-meter park on Saturday.
The thousands of Muslims from various groups were protesting Ahok's comments about a Koranic verse and urged police to investigate the governor for alleged blasphemy. Ahok has made a public apology, saying he did not intend to defame the Quran.