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Ahok says religious defamation case against him has ended
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Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama visited Bareskrim’s headquarters on Oct. 24 to clarify recent statements he made, which were alleged to have insulted Islam. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
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ncumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama has claimed that the religious defamation accusations against him have ended, especially after he clarified himself to the National Police's Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) on Oct. 24.
"I think the case is over now. I have apologized and went to Bareskrim [to clarify himself]. If there are people who still dispute this and they have lawyers, they can request the interrogation report from the police," Ahok said in Kebagusan, South Jakarta, on Monday.
Ahok said he had entrusted the police with patrolling the planned demonstration against him on Nov. 4 that was to be organized by a number of Islamic organizations.
"The security officers will act [to maintain the city's security]. We have Pancasila [state ideology], the Constitution, and 'Bhineka Tunggal Ika' ['unity in diversity', the state motto]. They are fixed things," he said.
A number of Islamic organizations had reported Ahok to the police for alleged religious defamation in relation to his statement on Surah al-Maidah, Verse 51 of the Quran, when he visited Thousand Islands regency.
Police said they had questioned a number of people, including Ahok’s staff and residents of the regency. The National Police’s forensic laboratory had also analyzed recordings of Ahok’s speech during the visit.
Ahok visited Bareskrim’s headquarters on Oct. 24 to clarify the statements he made. (bbn)
