Moeldoko Says Agitators Plan to Shoot Protesters, Sow Anarchy, During Wednesday's Rally
Jakarta. Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko said intelligence officers have intercepted rifle scopes that were smuggled into the country for use by snipers to spark a riot during this week's planned mass protest against the results of last month's presidential and legislative elections.
Supporters of presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto plan to stage a rally in front of the offices of the General Elections Commission (KPU) in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, when the results are set to be announced.
They plan to reject the result, as Prabowo stated last week, over claims of "massive fraud," despite having provided no supporting evidence.
The National Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) will deploy 65,000 personnel, including 34,000 unarmed officers in Jakarta, to maintain order.
"There are systematic efforts to guide the people in a wrong direction… We have arrested [those who] tried to smuggle arms [such as] the C4 [rifle scopes, which ] they planned to use on sniper rifles," Moeldoko told Metro TV, showing pictures of several telescopic sights that were reportedly seized by officers.
He said the plan was to shoot some protestors and then blame the police and military. This would result in anarchy.
"The TNI and police will not use lethal weapons [when securing the protest]," Moeldoko said.
He did not say how many people were arrested, or when and where intelligence officers intercepted the rifle scopes.
However, he did say the alleged smugglers were in custody while the investigation continued.
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