REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has ordered an investigation to find out who were the people behind the riot that broke out towards the end of the November 4 rally at the National Monument Square (Monas). "Those who perpetrated such an incident tarnished the image of Islam," Minister Ryamizard said here on Friday.

He regretted the minor clash at the end of the rally even though the demonstration had remained peaceful and orderly till around 18:00 pm.

Regarding certain political actors who allegedly took advantage of the rally, Ryamizard stated that further investigation was required since Indonesian law adheres to the presumption of innocence till proven guilty.

"We can see the presence of political 'stowaways' in the rallies, thanks to intelligence inputs, but we should not go by our own interpretation. We can discuss the issue but we must not go by our own interpretation and start disseminating it. That would be wrong and would amount to slander. Besides, it will pit people against each other. That is why the country is watching such things happening," he observed.

Earlier, Presidential Special Staff Johan Budi spoke about certain political actors suspected to be behind the November 4, 2016 massive rallies. "In terms of those who exploited these rallies, the president yesterday referred to certain political actors. Of course, the president was not talking nonsense. He must have received inputs from his aides that there were such (actors) behind it," he stated in Jakarta on Thursday.

In the meantime, Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR) has said it will set up a team to supervise an inquiry into the riot that marked an otherwise peaceful demonstration on Friday. "The team is intended to supervise, ensure and guarantee that the due legal process is carried out," a member of Commission III on legal and security affairs, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, stated last Tuesday.

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