"I told the three of them, you have to be proud if someone bullies you. You have to say we are proud our father is not a suspect because of corruption,” the gubernatorial candidate told supporters and residents at his campaign office in Central Jakarta on Thursday, as reported by kompas.com.

He told his children that he was upholding the state of Indonesia, the Constitution and the national motto of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).

He said he discussed the topic with his children after his oldest son, Nicolas Sean Purnama, admitted that many of his college friends had asked about a blasphemy case implicating his father.

(Read also: Ahok named suspect in blasphemy case)

On Wednesday, the police declared the incumbent governor a suspect in a blasphemy case related to his remarks on a verse of the Quran during an event in Thousand Islands regency last month.

Ahok’s remarks, which were videotaped and uploaded onto social media, triggered an outcry among Muslims countrywide.

On Nov. 4, thousands of people, including many conservative Muslims, staged a rally in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta, demanding the government prosecute Ahok for insulting Islam. The rally turned violent when two police cars were set on fire.

Ahok has repeatedly apologized and said he did not intend to insult Islam or the Quran. (jun)

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