ORDERLY, PEACEFUL REUNION OF 212 ALUMNI APPRECIATED

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 2 (Antara) - Attended by about three million participants, the implementation of the 212 Alumni Reunion at the National Monument Square (Monas) on Sunday lasted safely and peacefully in an orderly manner.          The orderly implementation of the event was lauded by the National Police, the Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the Jakarta Governor.          National Police Spokesman Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo said his side appreciated the peaceful implementation of the rally which proceeded in an orderly manner. "It is very conducive. This is the success of the cooperation between the Indonesian National Police and the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) that secured the activity, so that it is running very conducive," Brig. Gen Prasetyo said on Sunday.          He said that the conducive situation could not be separated from the role of the 212 Reunion participants who helped maintain order during the event. "Communities are increasingly aware and smart that security has become their shared responsibility," he said.          Appreciation of the peaceful and orderly implementation of the gathering also came from the MPR Speaker, Zulkifli Hasan. "Thank God,  it went in an orderly manner, we appreciate it," Hasan said.

LEGAL BATTLE ON ELECTIONS FUELS VIOLENCE OUTSIDE COURT

By Andi Abdussalam
Jakarta, Aug 21 (Antara) - Tense faces were visible inside and outside the Constitutional Court (MK) which was hearing a dispute on the presidential election result in Jakarta, Thursday.          The MK was holding its final session to issue a verdict on a dispute filed by the Prabowo - Hatta presidential and vice presidential pair on the result of the Indonesian July 9, presidential elections.          The Prabowo - Hatta team sued the General Elections Commission (KPU), accusing it of having organized a structured, systematic and massive election fraud. The KPU has declared the Joko Widodo - Jusuf Kalla duo the winner of the presidential contest.         During the court proceedings, tense faces were seen inside the court, while outside thousands of Prabowo supporters rallied and packed the Merdeka Selatan and the Merdeka Utara Streets.          Before the MK issued a ruling that rejected Prabowo legal suit, a brief scuffle broke out between security officers and demonstrators around the nearby Horse Statue circle. Police officers fired a tear gas shell to disperse demonstrators. A number of people were injured but police claim no victims suffered from gunshot wounds.