Indonesia riots: Islamic teachers linked to defeated candidate Prabowo Subianto told teens to take part, human rights chief says

Initial investigations by the country’s National Commission on Human Rights found religious teachers incited students to take part

Eight people died and hundreds more wounded in the riots last month, triggered by the re-election of President Joko Widodo

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Supporters of defeated presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto stand near a fire during clashes with police in Jakarta on May 22. Photo: AP

Published: 8:30am, 5 Jun 2019Updated: 6:17pm, 6 Jun 2019

Koran teachers linked to the campaign of defeated Indonesian presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto instructed teenagers to take part in last month’s deadly riots in Jakarta, according to the country’s National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas Ham).

Eight people were killed and hundreds more wounded in the riots on May 21-22, which were triggered by the re-election of incumbent President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who triumphed over rival Prabowo after securing 55.5 per cent of the vote.

Many of the demonstrators were “young”, according to Komnas Ham, and took part in the protests because they were instructed by their religious teachers and friends.

“Some of them really believed that there has been electoral fraud and that they needed to support their friends in their fight,” said Ahmad Taufan Damanik, chairman of the commission.

Prabowo has lodged a legal challenge against the election result at Indonesia’s Constitutional Court, alleging widespread fraud and claiming Widodo should have been disqualified. Independent observers, however, said the elections were generally free and fair.

Ahmad said he was “very worried” troubles could erupt again when the court delivers its verdict, which is expected on June 28.

“Political tensions are rising,” he said. “I urge all parties to be committed to the court’s verdict. Please do not mobilise any more masses as it is prone to result in riots.”

Some of the Koran teachers identified by Komnas Ham as inciting violence are affiliated with the Islamic Defenders Front, a radical Indonesian political organisation, while others “are close with” political parties that supported Prabowo’s candidacy, Ahmad said. They hail from West Java, Banten and around Jakarta.