TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The police may not be careless in following up the report of the alleged blasphemy crime committed by Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok).
The Law enforcement that is in line with the procedures and the verification must be placed above the pressure from certain groups of people.
The people who joined the November 4 protest dubbed as Aksi Bela Islam II (2nd Round of Defending Islam Action) rejected the apology made by Ahok for his statement on Surah Al-Maidah verse 51 at the end of September this year, considered to insult Moslems.
Actually, the accusation of blasphemy has been reported to the police since early last month.
Headquarter of the Indonesian National Police on Wednesday also ensure that it had met the demand so that the legal process continues to be done.
Chief of the National Police General Tito Karnavian said that the investigators at the National Polices Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) will begin questioning Ahok and a number of witnesses on Monday next week.
However, various speculations have already been circulated surrounding the planned rally. The rumor of the riot scenario has heated up the tension of the capita. News that the rally will be infiltrated by actions from radical groups has also raised threats.
Worse, the drama played by the political elites in responding to those worries have in fact heated the situation.
This is why, it is difficult not to be worried if the legal process against Ahok at the police only to curb pressures from the protestors.
The investigators do have ammunition: Article 156-a of the Criminal Code.
The article carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison to every one who deliberately issues hostility, misuse, or religious blasphemy.
However, it must be remembered that the Article is stated in the Criminal Code through Presidential Decree Number 1 of 1965 on the Prevention of the Misuse and Religious Blasphemy.
The law, which was signed by President Sukarno, mandates that the law for the blasphemy crime can be imposed if the perpetrators repeat their actions and violate the government’s warning written in advance in the form of a joint decree between Religious Affairs Minister, Attorney General and Home Affairs Minister.
The verification also remains an issue.
The article of religious blasphemy has long been considered as a ‘rubber article’.
Instead of maintaining inter-religious harmony, this article is prone to be used to suppress minority groups because it can be multi-interpreted.
Certainly, law enforces cannot ignore reports from the people who accused Ahok of committing religious blasphemy.
However, the police must also ensure that the legal process of the non-active Jakarta Governor who is in his campaign trail, is within the corridor.
It would be advisable for the protestors to realize that they have exercised their rights to voice their opinions. Now it is their turn to meet their obligation to abide by the law and to stop spreading hate messages.
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