By: Amril Jambak *)
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, A number of religious and youth organizations have issued a statement addressing the case of alleged blasphemy committed by Ahok which in conclusion asking for justice and law transparency. Those organizations even cynically said that there will be law and political intervention “to save” Ahok. Because this unconstructive perception and opinion has already spread among the people through social media, President Jokowi while attending some events such as; political consolidation event with some scholars and Islamic organizations, PPP and PAN event, Inspection to Kopassus, Marine and Brimob headquarter, firmly stated that the President would not intervene to defend Ahok.
Meanwhile, some organizations that support Jokowi and Ahok conduct activities to defend both figures above. Laskar Rakyat Jokowi (LRJ) and Pro Jokowi (Projo) have reported Ahmad Dhani to the police for allegedly slandering President Joko Widodo during a demonstration in front of State Palace on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta. LRJ assessed that Ahmad Dhani had been harassing and insulting the president with his indecent speech during the rally, in front of the State Palace on Friday (4/11). The report made by LRJ and Projo was contained in police reports numbered, LP/5423/XI/2016/PMJ/ Dit Reskrimum, dated 7 November 2016, for alleged violation of Article 207 of the Criminal Code on defamation against the authorities.
Responding to the allegations from President Jokowi supporters, Ahmad Dhani held a press conference, on Monday, November 7, 2016. He denied insulting President Jokowi. Ahmad Dhani presented his defense. First, he felt vilified. Through his attorney, Ramdan Alam, Ahmad Dhani said that he had no intention to harass President Jokowi as blamed by both groups. Ahmad Dhani said that there are those who distort the facts and he suspected they were provocateurs. Second, Ramdan insists that none of the words 'Jokowi' in the original video was spoken by Ahmad Dhani while participating in the rally on Friday, November 4, 2016. Third, Ahmad Dhani claimed that he had lost hundreds of millions of rupiah because he was reported to the police for alleged defamation of President Joko Widodo. There should be Dewa 19 concert in the near future, but it was canceled because they had no permission from the police.
Threats to Diversity
Both pro and anti-organizations related to the alleged blasphemy case have reasonable and strong enough intention to defend Islam in accordance with the wishes of their respective groups. The continuation of the attitude, both pros and cons groups related to Ahok case, has led them to an exclusivism, even has indicated potential in radicalism as a reflection of a lack of maturity in the democratic stance.
Impacts include: first, the emergence of the radicals action, such as the continuation of hatred in social media, banners, pamphlets as a reflection of a minimal radical stance, the rise of the current radical stance which is anarchist rallies or terror, and last is demand for independence. Second, the politization of Ahok case will continue, whether it will escalate or not is depending on the results of legal procedure against Ahok. Third, diversity in Indonesia is threatened because of the immaturity and carelessness from the use of racial issues.
Therefore, the presence of the state who is wisely resolving the case will determine the political landscape and the future of democracy in Indonesia. For that, there are a number of viable suggestions for the government: first, the Ministry of Religion, MUI, and Forum Kerukunan Umat Beragama (FKUB) need to intensify communication.
Second, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Education and Culture need to work together with Rector Forum, principals and leaders of student organizations of extra and intra-curricular activities both in central and regional level to provide insights related to the threat to diversity because of this current situation, so that the students are not easily provoked by group’s interest and post power syndrome.
Third, the Ministry of Communication and Police Headquarters must continue to monitor cyber-related hate-speech spreading in social media and perform actions that are considered important such as blocking social media accounts that provoke people.
*) Administrator of LSISI in Pekanbaru, Riau and founder of Forum Pemerhati Sosial Kemasyarakatan.
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