Jakarta, Islamists launch "constitutional jihad": they do not accept the election results

The extremist formations organize a two-day demonstration at the Electoral Commission. On May 22nd, the winner's announcement between President Joko Widodo and challenger Prabowo Subianto. Indonesian police have warned of possible attacks by terrorist groups.

Jakarta (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Islamists are summoning supporters of their presidential candidate, Prabowo Subianto (photo), and inviting them to a "constitutional jihad": the Jakarta authorities are worried by the plan of extremist formations to hold a two-day demonstration - starting tomorrow - at the General Electoral Commission (Kpu), to protest against the imminent announcement of the winner in the presidential elections in April.

The appeal has been circulating on social media for the last two days. On 22 May, the Kpu will announce the winner between the incumbent president, Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, and the challenger Prabowo Subianto. While the vote counting is coming to an end (it is 90%), Widodo's victory seems obvious: the gap between the two candidates is around 11%. In recent days, Subianto has warned that "it will not accept misleading results".

The organizers of the event identify themselves as "Persaudaraan Alumni 212". The name refers to the people who took part in a demonstration held in the capital more than two years ago, on December 2, against the former governor of Jakarta, the Chinese ethnic Christian Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, called "Ahok". The 2016 protest, led by the Islamists of the Islamic Defender Front (FPI), had threatened to destabilize the country during government elections, marked by religiosity and sectarianism.

Rumors of tomorrow's demonstration raise similar fears, prompting the US embassy to issue a warning about "greater risk of terrorism" and mass gatherings in Jakarta, as well as in other cities (Surabaya and Medan).

Indonesian police have warned of possible attacks by terrorist groups. About 30 suspected jihadists were arrested in connection with a plan to hit the Electoral Commission. During the raids, security forces seized several improvised explosive devices and other bomb-making materials. More than 32,000 soldiers and policemen are deployed to guarantee public order in the capital alone.

• indonesia
• politics
• elections
• presidential
• islamists
• extremists
• results
• demonstration
• appeal
• prabowo subianto
• joko widodo