Huge deployment of security forces planned for Jakarta rally

JAKARTA: Thousands of Indonesian security forces will be deployed at a rally this week against Jakarta´s Christian governor to prevent a repeat of violence that marred a protest earlier this month, police said on Tuesday.

About 22,000 officials -- mostly police and soldiers, as well as some paramedics -- will be on the streets for Friday´s rally against governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, who has caused anger in the world´s most populous Muslim-majority country by allegedly insulting Islam.

Police said they expect at least 150,000 protesters to turn out for the demonstration against Purnama, who is also a member of Indonesia´s small ethnic Chinese minority.

Authorities named Purnama, known by his nickname Ahok, a suspect in a blasphemy investigation this month after Muslim groups demanded that he be prosecuted for allegedly insulting the Quran while campaigning for governorship elections.

The controversy is being seen as a test of religious tolerance in Indonesia, where minorities have increasingly come under attack. Some observers however say it is as much about politics, accusing the governor´s rivals of whipping up anger in a bid to reduce his support.

After a massive demonstration against Purnama on November 4 turned violent in its later stages, with one man dying as Muslim hardliners battled police, authorities are taking no chances ahead of Friday´s rally.