JAKARTA, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian national police give a warning on Friday to Islamists leading the opposition to Jakarta Christian's gubernatorial candidate not to take to the street in the city at week end, police chief said here.
The warning was given as thousands of Islamic hardliners plan to gather and pray at Jakarta's major mosque of Istiqlal on Saturday, and the police need to prevent the activity from shifting to a massive demonstration opposing against incumbent governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, who will contest in polls on Wednesday.
"Should they do it (rally), police backed by armed force will take a stern action," National Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said on Friday.
Under the rules, days before the election days all campaign activities have to be terminated.
Last year, hundreds thousands of conservative Muslim staged in a rally in the country's capital, opposing Purnama, who is on trial for allegedly insulting Islam.
Police have refused initial requests from the Islamic hardliners to stage a rally in the city.
Karnavian stressed that the Islamists may only have their worshipping activity around the mosque and could not march to the street.
Over 23,000 police personnel and nearly 5,000 soldiers will be dispatched to secure the city on Saturday.
Purnama has gained popularity and supports for his efforts to battle graft and simplify bureaucracy.
