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Ahok says he will comply with the law in defamation case
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Incumbent Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama inspects a canal in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta, on Oct. 31. (Antara Photo/Hafidz Mubarak A.)
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akarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama has stressed that he will comply with the law in relation to the police’s ongoing defamation case.
“It depends on the law, I think the most important thing for this country is law enforcement," said Ahok during his visit to the Kompas newspaper office in Palmerah, West Jakarta, on Wednesday.
He repeated his statement that he never had any intention of insulting the Quran. “I am a politician. Why would I intentionally blaspheme the Quran, which I have also studied,” said Ahok, adding that his foster mother and foster brother are also Muslims.
He also mentioned that Muslims made up 93 percent of his regency of origin, Belitung Timur, where he previously served as regent.
Ahok was reported by several Islamic organizations for speaking about Surah al Maidah, Verse 51 of the Quran, when visiting the Thousand Islands regency recently. A joint police and military force has been prepared in anticipation of a massive demonstration against the governor planned for Friday. The protestors are demanding that the police seriously investigate Ahok.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has met with Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto and a number of religious leaders, including the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and the nation’s two largest Islamic organizations Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah in a bid to calm down the situation ahead of the rally. (bbn)
