REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The defendant of the blasphemy case, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) claimed for not having information about the phone call between former Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the Chairman of Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) KH Ma'ruf Amin. Previously, during the trial on Tuesday (January 31), his legal advisors stated there was a phone call between both on October 7, 2016. 

Ahok denied for issuing the phone call accusation. He said the information had spread by the national mass media on November 4, 2016. 

"It was not me but the lawyer said it. I don't know. Please, ask the lawyer," he said on Wednesday (February 1).

During the trial, Ahok's legal advisor asked Kiai Ma'ruf whether there was a request from SBY to issue a religious statement which was delivered by phone. 

"No," Kiai Ma'ruf answered.

The same question was asked for several time by Ahok's lawyer. Kiai Ma'ruf insisted to deny it. "Because I have asked for several times, and you gave the same answer, we would give evidence. If it was right, you gave a false statement," said Ahok's lawyer.

On the same occassion, Ahok also responded his answer. He asked whether there was a call from SBY related to the meeting with candidate number 1, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono-Sylviana Murni in the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) office. 

"I corrected on October 7, (you) met the candidate number 1, it was clear to hide, the witness wanted to hide his history for being a presidential advisory board. On October 6, it was delivered by my lawyer, there was evidence of phone call (from SBY) who requested a meeting.  Therefore, the witness was not appropriate for being a witness. He was not objective, led to support the candidate number 1," said Ahok while accusing Kiai Ma'ruf was lying. 

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika