REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto said he would not bar any mass action, including the planned rally by the Islamic Community Forum (FUI) dubbed the "112 action", as long as it is conducted in accordance with the regulations. "We have never banned any actions, because it is the public's right to express their opinion and we have the law on it. But we would direct the rally to follow the legal corridors," Wiranto said here on Wednesday.

However, he stated that under the regulations, any rally conducted in public places should have approval from the police. "If the police consider that this rally would disturb others' interest, then they will ban it. It means that the rally would not be held," he noted.

Wiranto believed that the police have thorough consideration before they banned the mass rally planned to be held ahead of the Jakarta gubernatorial election's cooling-off period. "The cooling-off period is designed to give time for voters to decide on which candidate is best for them. Thus, we should not disturb that moment," he continued.

"This does not mean that I instantly banned them. I have no right to do that. But if the rule says no, then it would be my obligation to redirect them. I hope you can understand this," Wiranto explained.

Previously, the Jakarta police said they would not allow a rally planned by Muslim groups on Feb 11 on the streets of Jakarta, citing security concerns ahead of the Feb 15 gubernatorial elections. A spokesman of the Jakarta Police Senior Commissioner Argo Yuwono said that the rally was banned on grounds that it could disturb public order.

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