JAKARTA: Malaysians in Jakarta have been advised to take notice and adhere to all traffic instructions issued by the local authorities during the peaceful public demonstration dubbed Aksi Damai (Peace Action) tomorrow.
The Malaysian Embassy in Indonesia in a statement today said Malaysians who required consular assistance pertaining to the matter could contact the embassy at +62 21 522 4947 during office hour or at +62 813 8081 3036 after office hour or via email at mwjakarta@kln.gov.my and konsular_jakarta@yahoo.com.
It was reported in local media that over 200,000 Muslims would join the demonstration which would be held in the compound of the National Monument (Monas) here from 8 am until the Friday prayer time tomorrow.
Inspector-General of Police Tito Karnavian had previously issued a ban on the demonstration and the plan to perform Friday prayer at main roads on grounds that it would disrupt public order.
The demonstration was planned following the demonstration on Nov 4, which was participated by hundreds of thousands of Muslims urging the police to arrest Jakarta Governor Basuki Thahaja Purnama for allegedly insulting Islam.
However, following a meeting between the authorities and religious scholars last week, an agreement was reached to turn the proposed demonstration into a peaceful rally, which will include participants performing Friday prayer in the Monas compound.
Basuki, or better known as Ahok, will soon be charged in court for insulting Islam during his speech in front of voters in Kepulauan Seribu two months ago.
Ahok, a non-Muslim, is contesting to defend his post and being challenged by Anies Baswedan and Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono in Direct Elections for Local Leaders in February next year. --BERNAMA