Jakarta – Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has declined to respond to a so-called reunion rally of Muslim protestors who staged a demonstration on Dec. 2 last year to demand the resignation of then Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama.

Protestors dubbed it the 212 rally to reflect the date on which it took place. "That's none of my business," Anies said at City Hall on Monday when asked to comment.

Anies also remained tight-lipped on whether he would grant the protestors permission to gather at the National Monument in Central Jakarta, as they did last year.

Earlier, Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno said that permission to use Monas as a meeting point for large crowds was under the authority of Anies as governor.

Participants of last year's major rally had announced that they planned to commemorate the event, which also pushed for the prosecution and imprisonment of Ahok, a Christian of Chinese descend, for blasphemy. Ahok was found guilty of blasphemy in May and sentenced to two years in prison.

Jakarta Police chief insp. Gen. Idham Azis suggested that the reunion rally be held at Istiqlal mosque in Central Jakarta.

However, presidium chairman of the 212 Alumni, Slamet Maarif, claimed he had obtained the necessary permit to hold the event at Monas.

Earlier this month, Anies lifted a ban that prohibited religious and cultural activities from taking place at Monas. (dis)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/11/27/212-reunion-rally-none-of-my-business-anies.html