TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad viewed that the rallies aimed at urging the government to arrest inactive Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama for allegedly committing religious blasphemy went peacefully.

According to Mahathir, the rallies reflect the maturity of democracy in Indonesia. In addition, Mahathir called on Muslims not to insult other religions.

"Islam encourages peaceful ways to resolve [issues]," Mahathir said after giving a lecture at Muhammadiyah University in Yogyakarta on Monday, December 5, 2016.

Muhammadiyah Central Executive Board chairman Din Syamsuddin believes that Ahok has committed religious blasphemy by saying that people might not vote for him since they are being lied to using Quran’s Al-Maidah verse 51.

"I want to remind people not to manipulate things. The law enforcement must be fair," Din added.

Din viewed that the Defend Islam Rally was not anti-diversity. Din, who also serves as the Indonesian Ulema Council's consultative board chairman, called on public not to be cynical when certain groups linked religion to politics. Din argued that politics without religion could turn into a disaster.

Din added that Islam cannot be separated from politics. However, he called on politicians to refrain from using religion to achieve their goals. Din also argued that insulting other religions is a form of manipulation.

"What Ahok did is religious manipulation. It can’t be justified in a heterogeneous society," Din said.

SHINTA MAHARAN