Ahok Visits Bareskrim, Provides Confirmation on Alleged Blasphemy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama visited the Police Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim) headquarter in Central Jakarta to coordinate with investigators in relation to alleged blasphemy people claimed him to be involved in.

"I believe that I should come to provide clarification to the police about the case on the Thousand Islands [regency]. The one related to the Surah Al-Maidah [of the Quran]," Governor Ahok said on Monday October 24, 2016 as quoted by Antara news agency.

Director for General Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police Brig. Gen. Agus Andrianto, said that the Bareskrim has not made any plans to question Ahok in relation to the case. "[Ahok] came on his own initiative. He asked for time to be questioned," Brig. Gen. Agus said.

Previously, a video snippet of Ahok speaking in front of Thousand Islands regency residents went viral.

The video, which contains images of Ahok telling the residents that there are certain parties that forbid people from electing non-Muslim leaders based on verse 51 of Surah Al-Maidah, sparked public controversy.

Ahok had clarified the issue through his Instagram account @basukibtp, calling on people to watch the full video.

ANTARA