Cak Nur's supporters urge police chief to apologize for controversial statements

Supporters of noted Muslim scholar Nurcholish “Cak Nur” Madjid have urged National Police chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri to apologize for his statements suggesting the scholar was involved in a graft case being investigated by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

“We demand the chief apologize as Cak Nur's family is deeply upset by the statements that were made without any evidence,” said Yudi Latif from the Nurcholish Madjid Society.

On Thursday night, Bambang said the KPK had yet to finish investigating the graft case allegedly involving former forestry minister Malam Sambat Kaban.

Bambang said this was because the suspended KPK deputy chief Chandra M. Hamzah had an emotional relationship with Kaban as Kaban had facilitated the marriage between Chandra and Cak Nur's daughter, Nadia Madjid.

The police suspect that Kaban received bribes of up to Rp 17.6 billion (US$ 1.76 million) from graft suspect Anggoro Widjojo.

A close relative to Cak Nur, Soenanto, said the scholar did not have any personal relationship with Kaban.

“Kaban himself never attended Chandra-Nadia's marriage,” Soenanto said told Antara state news agency. (ewd)