JAKARTA, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Tens of thousands hard-line Muslims swarmed in Indonesia's landmark square of Monas in Jakarta on Friday, demanding legal enforcement against Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, the incumbent Jakarta governor who was accused of making blasphemous comment on the Koran.
The demonstrators from multiple Muslim organizations came to the capital city with buses or groups of motorbike convoys since the morning, carrying flags of organization they represent for, directly went to landmark mosque of Istiqlal to undertake Friday prayer together.
Indonesian security apparatus have besieged tanks and troop carrier vehicles around the Monas, which is adjacent to the presidential palace and ministerial buildings.
Indonesian authorities have imposed full-alert status in the capital city to respond to the demonstration. More than 20,000 police and special military units are deployed to assure the security during the demonstration.
The present demonstration against Basuki was the second after a small-scale one held in mid last month. In a speech in September, Basuki criticized opponents who used Koranic references to attack him.
Reports compiled by Indonesian intelligence agency and foreign embassies said the demonstration could be used by extremists to incite violence or attacks aimed at destabilizing the condition.
Several western country embassies have issued travel advisories for their citizens to reduce outdoor activities on Friday when the demonstration takes place.
Some embassies and business offices closed down during the protest. Jakarta streets, normally clogged all the time, are nearly empty of cars.
Indonesian military has deployed four helicopters in the palace for precaution should the demonstration go violent.
Footages of local TV stations showed police' attempt to ease the devout Muslims during their way to the mosque with religious rhyming chants.
"The chants are expected to bring peace to the hearts," a police officer said in an interview with a local TV station.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo is doing his normal working activities in the day by inspecting the commuter train project serving the international airport of Cengkareng to downtown the city.
A president's senior aide said that the president would still be in the capital throughout the day during the demonstration.
According to an official at the palace, senior state officials would accept the visit of representatives of demonstrators later in the afternoon.
The incumbent governor Basuki, who would run in the upcoming capital city's governor election, is somewhere in northern part of the city to undertake campaign over his candidacy. He refused to give comments over the massive demonstration against him.
Basuki had apologized over his comments on verses in the Koran and met with police, but the moves failed to appease the hardliners. Investigation into the case is now conducted in National Police headquarters.
