Clashes between protesters and Indonesian security forces continued on Wednesday night as crowds continued to show their rage over the result of last month's presidential election, according to Reuters.
Central Jakarta was filled with instances of tear gas, rubber bullets, projectiles, and firecrackers as protesters tore apart street signs and set fire to security posts and food stalls.
The capital’s governor, Anies Baswedan, said six people were killed during riots on the first night which was in the textile market neighborhood of Tanah Abang.
State news agency Antara said three hospitals treated more than 350 people for injuries on Wednesday after the unrest.
Authorities said more than 40,000 police and soldiers were put on duty across the city to help maintain security this week, along with the government blocking some social media functions to prevent misinformation from spreading about the protests.
The General Election Commission confirmed on Tuesday that President Joko Widodo had beaten his challenger, former general Prabowo Subianto, in the April 17 poll.
President Widodo won more than 85 million of the 154 million ballots cast but the opposition claimed there were "irregularities" and "massive cheating" during the election and has so far refused to concede defeat.
The election supervisory agency said there was no evidence for these claims and independent observers said the poll was free and fair.
Medics were seen treating dozens of protesters who were affected by the tear gas, as many tried to smear toothpaste around their eyes and mouth to help mitigate the toxic effects.
Sources said most of the protesters came from outside Jakarta, according to national police spokesman Muhamad Iqbal.
“This is not a spontaneous incident, this is something by design. There are indications that the mobs are paid and bent on causing chaos,” he said.
Vice President Jusuf Kalla called on Prabowo and his running mate, Sandiaga Uno, to call fo ran end to the violence.
“When there is rioting the losses affect us all, the economy as a whole and the people. Remember, what happened in 1998 could happen,” he said.
Prabowo has called for restraint from the protesters.
“I urge all sides, the people who are expressing their aspirations, the police, the military and all sides to refrain from physical abuse,” he said.
But the Prabowo campaign was still planning to contest the result of the election in Constitutional Court on Thursday.
The results gave Widodo a 55.5% share of votes against 44.5% for Prabowo, who previously launched a legal challenge against the 2014 election results when he lost to Widodo.
-WN.com, Maureen Foody
Photo:
AP / Dita Alangkara
