REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) has apologized to all Muslims regarding his statement in a video titled 'Ahok: Anda Dibohongi Al-Quran Surat Al-Maidah 51'. "I’m sorry. I don't have expertise in Islamic teachings,'' Ahok said at City Hall, Monday (10/10).
Ahok also claimed his statement in Seribu Islands did not harass Muslims. "I think we should end up commenting the video because it could disrupt the harmony of our people," he said.
Also read: Muslim condems Jakarta Governor for religious blasphemy
Ahok apologized after he received letter of admonition from Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) Jakarta branch earlier at the same day. The letter were signed by the Chairman Syarifuddin Abdul Gani and Zulfa Mustafa in Jakarta, Sunday (10/9). The MUI Jakarta said Ahok's statement has caused unrest and disturbed the tranquility of inter-religious life.
Meanwhile, Chairman MUI Ma'ruf Amin asked the people to be gracious to recieve Ahok's apology. "When someone apologized, it means he has admitted his mistake."
Ma'ruf added apologizing would also muted the controversy. Ma'ruf hoped Ahok will not utter such a statement in the future. Nevertheless, Ma'ruf said Ahok mistake would be remembered and the legal process would still continued. "His apology did not cancelled the legal process," he said.
Also read: Bareskrim will process report on religious blasphemy by Ahok
Chairperson of the United Development Party Faction in the House of Representatives Reni Marlinawati said the Minister of the Interior should provide ethical guidance for Ahok. This case has entered the realm of juridical and ethical. "The Ministry of Interior must ensure the judicial process runs transparently and accountably without intervention," she said.
Also read:Political observer: Having equal opponents, Ahok is sweating
In the other hand, Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic party of Struggle (PDIP) Megawati Soekarnoputri was wondering why did Ahok's statement always become negative sentiment. She said the people should understand there were various different habbit in each etnic. "Javanese and Bangka Belitung's people (where Ahok grew up) behaviour are not alike," she said when accompanying all of PDIP candidates on simultaneous regional elections 2017--including Ahok--visited Bung Karno cemetery in Blitar, East Java.
Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika
