REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Having equal rivals in the next Jakarta gubernatorial election, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) took his opponents seriously. In fact, political observer Hendri Satrio said, "Ahok is sweating."
According to Hendri, the presence of Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono-Sylviana Murni and Anies Baswedan-Sandiaga Uno as governor and deputy governor candidates has given the incumbent certain pressure. "It's fatal for Ahok saying Muslim who are not going to vote for him because politician or cleric quoted The Holy Quran surah Al Maidah verse 51 were all tricked," the observer from Paramadina University said.
Hendri said Ahok should apologized and learned from this case. "He should be more careful," he said to Republika.co.id.
Muslim cleric Felix Siauw said via Twitter, Ahok has hurt Muslim feeling. It were a hidebound accusation and Ahok--as a non-Muslim--acted like he knows Alquran better than Islamic scholars.
Meanwhile, Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Awi Setiyono said legal process related to reports on religious blasphemy by Ahok will be transferred to the National Police because previously there were another party already submitted the same report.
Also read: Bareskrim will process report on religous blasphemy by Ahok
Jakarta Police will also transferred a report submitted by Kelompok Relawan Kota Adja (Community of Young Advocates for Ahok-Djarot) to the National Police. They have filed a report against Buni Yani, a former journalist who allegedly maliciously altered the video of Ahok's speech and upload it to his Facebook account.
Buni Yani has received support from lawyers who sympathized. "To focus in this case, I have to temporary quit teaching in London School of Public Relations (LSPR)," he said.
Also read: Muslim condems Jakarta Governor for religious blasphemy
Previously, LSPR's staff recieved a threat over the phone saying Ahok supporter would storm the campus. "I don't want others to get hurt. I want to protect them by temporary leave," Buni Yani said.
Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika
