The president, also known as Jokowi, along with his deputy Jusuf Kalla, joined the mass gathering for Friday prayers around the National Monument in Jakarta and appealed for calm. The police detained about 10 activists ahead of the protest, including eight on alleged treason charges, Rikwanto, a national police spokesman, said in a televised address. Widodo’s surprise appearance at the rally signaled a willingness to challenge conservative Muslim groups ahead of the governor’s election in February. Authorities deployed 22,000 soldiers and police to keep order after a similar protest last month turned violent. While some responded “Arrest Ahok now!” much of the crowd soon dispersed.

Source: The Edge Markets December 02, 2016 16:27 UTC