REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Mahyuni, language expert from University of Mataram, said Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) speech during his official visit as Jakarta governor in Seribu Islands was out of context. Mahyuni was the witness presented by the prosecutor.
"My impression as an expert, the subject of Ahok's speech leads to a campaign. As though he was not sure people would vote for him and suddenly he made the speech about gubernatorial election using surah Al Maidah verse 51," he said while testifying in the continuation of religious blasphemy trial in the auditorium of the Ministry of Agriculture, Jakarta, Monday.
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Mahyuni regretted the offending speech. Moreover, Ahok came to Seribu Islands as a DKI Jakarta governor. "He should not associate the topic of his visit with other issue. I know that his official visit was about fishery," Mahyuni said.