Muhammad Faisal Silenang, the South Sulawesi legal bureau head of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), who arrived in Jakarta from Makassar on Friday morning, said he had prepared himself to be questioned by police investigators.

"We brought a soft and hard copy of the Quran’s translation for the questioning. We will give it to police," Faisal said at Bareskrim’s office in Central Jakarta.

Faisal will be questioned together with Arman, spokesman of the South Sulawesi Muslim United Forum and Habib Muchsin Al-Habsyi, FPI’s South Sulawesi branch chairman.

Police have received 11 reports in regard to Ahok’s alleged blasphemy—both by organizations and individuals, including those from Jakarta, Sumatra and Sulawesi.

Thus far, police have questioned 43 witnesses in relation to the case sparked by Ahok’s speech during his visit to Thousand Islands regency in late September, when he made reference to a Quranic verse.

In part of his speech, Ahok allegedly said, “In your inner hearts, ladies and gentlemen you may feel you cannot vote for me, because [you have been] lied to by the use of Surah al-Maidah, verse 51. […] So, if you cannot vote for me because you are afraid of being condemned to hell, you do not need to feel uneasy as you are being fooled. It is alright.” (bbn)

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