4/11, 25/11 and 2/12 anti-Ahok demonstrations

[fastpitch17]

I heard the demo story yesterday from a couple of well connected ex jakartans here in bali , they felt it may be violent and may also spread around java , I cant find any confirmation online, does anyone know different ?

I read yesterday or the day prior when this was first reported that the FPI said they would also have rallies in other Indonesian communities. Didn't say where, just nationwide.

 

[atlantis]

I read yesterday or the day prior when this was first reported that the FPI said they would also have rallies in other Indonesian communities. Didn't say where, just nationwide.

The FPI in Manado? Hahaha...

 

[fastpitch17]

The FPI in Manado? Hahaha...

I said other Indonesian communitiesNot all.

 

[jstar]

Well, in South and Central Sulawesi there have been quite some incidents of course. (Remember Poso?) And with Al-Qaeda cells (from Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Philippines and Europe) focussing on the island at the time, I would not be surprised if there is still quite some extremist presence. And over here people move rather easily between regions. Hell, there were even jihadists in Ambon! Of course there is still a difference between extremist and terrorist.

 

[jstar]

Now of course the FPI wants more presence (and thus power) in the capital. As said before, the organization is not even recognized and registered in the DKI. (So they should not be allowed to operate here.) And exactly two years ago they declared they would never acknowledge Ahok as governor. So statements/insults/behavior after the inauguration are in fact not relevant; they just don't want the person.

 

[fastpitch17]

Now of course the FPI wants more presence (and thus power) in the capital. As said before, the organization is not even recognized and registered in the DKI. (So they should not be allowed to operate here.) And exactly two years ago they declared they would never acknowledge Ahok as governor. So statements/insults/behavior after the inauguration are in fact not relevant; they just don't want the person.

I remember the FPI chose their own Governor to govern along with Ahok. That didn't get very far. The FPI leader I understan in a speach called Sukarto's Islam referrance in the constitution as being the butt of it and their Jakarta constitution having it as the head. He has recently been reported to the police by one of Sukarno's daughters as shaming a national leader. May not gear anything about it again but this is really what needs to happen to start controling these thugs no matter what group they belong. Holding them responsible for their actions with arrest, convictions, and time behind bars might start keeping these guys in check.

 

[brian@bekasi]

The FPI in Manado? Hahaha...

I agree about Manado. However, last year on Sangihe Island ( North Sulawesi Region) we were traveling on road in a part of the island that we never go and I came across a roadside sign advertising ISIS.

The sign was commercially constructed and on the road at the entrance of a large village.

Sangihe has a majority christian population who are very likeable and peaceful by nature. So for me, it was the last place I would have expected to find some evidence of of a terrorist group.

 

[waarmstrong]

Its beggar's night here; gangs of masked youth out roaming in the dark demanding ransom in exchange for the avoidance of property damage.

 

[R Cameron]

I came across a roadside sign advertising ISIS.
The sign was commercially constructed and on the road at the entrance of a large village.

Forgive my skepticism, but what did it actually say? I've seen many commercially constructed signs with "tolak ISIS..." etc. and perhaps someone not comfortable with Indonesian could just see the name ISIS and assume it's a positive message.

 

[brian@bekasi]

No the signed spelt out the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria complete with fighters in uniform. And for the record, I am totally comfortable with Indonesia and would not visit reasonably remote islands if I wasn't.

 

[fastpitch17]

Jokowi is meeting with the Islamic Organizations today. No mention of topic but you can bet it's about the protest and to keep their people away from it. He seems to be trying to isolate the radical groups and I wonder if he has some plans up his sleeve to finally corral them? Probably not but one can wish.

 

[rugby]

I've just reconfirmed our family contact details with the Embassy. Hopefully no martyrs get created Friday after lunchtime.

 

[Scooterindo]

Care to elaborate on the "exercised extreme aggression whilst driving"? In what way?

If I could guess: Stop for nothing or nobody?

Exactly right Jstar - there were a lot of rumours going around that people were being car jacked (especially on the toll road to the airport) with either items placed in the road or people trying to hail your car down or getting in the way to force you stop. Basically I was driving to were I had to get to and wasn't going to stop for anything or anyone, including people or traffic lights.

I was driving a Feroza jeep which sat very high on all terrain tyres and had full bull bars fitted to the front. Evasive driving training teaches that once moving you don't stop for any reason so if there was an obstruction in the road I would have gone over it or through it and if someone had tried to stop the car I would have run them straight over. All doors were locked and in the event the windows were broken and someone tried to grab inside the car, I was also armed with a large carving knife.

It may sound like bravado but the journey had to be made and the atmosphere in central Jakarta at the time was very frightening.

 

[El_Goretto]

It may sound like bravado but the journey had to be made and the atmosphere in central Jakarta at the time was very frightening.

No doubt. When hearing the stories from my wife or simply watching documentaries, I know it was no joke at all. Anyone watched the documentary War Photographer? A cameraman filmed photographer James Nachtwey in the middle of a mob, pleading for them not to kill a guy with a machete. He was the only one on the streets (and the cameraman), everyone else was too scared.

 

[fastpitch17]

I've just reconfirmed our family contact details with the Embassy. Hopefully no martyrs get created Friday after lunchtime.

I doubt they will target foreigners unless you're crazy enough to want to watch up close. I wouldn't want to be Chinese in the middle of it.

 

[Anglian]

Just seen Probowo riding his horse, I expect on the day he will be on his horse leading the FPI causing mayhem and destruction like some roman general, he is nuts and on an ego trip.
I found in 98 nobody was interested in me and were actually quite helpful, but had I been Chinese another story,

 

[macvert]

I saw Probowo & Jokowi on TV this morning at Probowo's joint, both on white horses with white cowboy hats, Jokowi looked uncomfortable on his steed & Probowo reminded me of Hopalong Cassidy once he dismounted.

 

[fastpitch17]

 

[Anglian]

I saw Probowo & Jokowi on TV this morning at Probowo's joint, both on white horses with white cowboy hats, Jokowi looked uncomfortable on his steed & Probowo reminded me of Hopalong Cassidy once he dismounted.

Joko didn't look home on the range, don't think horses are his thing,

 

[rugby]

I doubt they will target foreigners unless you're crazy enough to want to watch up close. I wouldn't want to be Chinese in the middle of it.

I truly doubt so too - for the initial phase. If the group gains any traction then I feel the wheels could come off the train quickly. Just a feeling.