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Ahok withdraws appeal ‘for public good’
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The wife of non-active Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, Veronica Tan, can't hold back her tears as she reads out a letter hand-written by her husband behind bars that explains why he has withdrawn his appeal against a court verdict in which he was sentenced to two years in prison. (Antara/Wahyu Putro A)
T
he peace of the nation was the main reason behind the surprise move by non-active Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama to drop his plan to appeal his two-year prison sentence for blasphemy.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Ahok’s wife, Veronica Tan, read out a letter hand-written by her husband behind bars that explained why he had withdrawn his appeal against his sentence.
Tearfully and in a breaking voice, Veronica said that Ahok had accepted the sentence, which was harsher than that demanded by prosecutors, who had only asked for two years’ probation for lesser charge of inciting hatred toward clergymen.
“I know that it’s hard for you to accept this, let alone for me. However, I have learned to forgive and accept all of this, if this is for our common good in building the nation and state,” Veronica quoted Ahok as saying.
Ahok also thanked his supporters and sympathizers for the support given to him, but also encouraged them to follow his example in accepting the reality.
Ahok vehemently denied during his trial any wrongdoing. Since Ahok was sentenced on May 9, his supporters have held a series of peaceful rallies to demand that Ahok’s detention be suspended. His supporters in Jakarta and other regions have also held candlelight vigils to show support for him.
“Jakartans would otherwise suffer great losses, in the form of traffic congestion and economic losses resulting from the rallies,” Ahok said.
