TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Fahri Hamzah suggested the government to relocate Ahmad Dhani from Cipinang Prison, East Jakarta to Mako Brimob Prison in Kelapa Dua, Depok.

“I make a recommendation as a friend so that the treatment [for Dhani] will be the same as for Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (BTP). [Because] the two are high profile case. That will be fair,” said Fahri when visiting Cipinang Prison, East Jakarta, Tuesday, January 29.

Fahri opined that Ahmad Dhani imprisonment in Cipinang Prison would be detrimental for the image of the government considering the media would not much cover the issue should the latter is placed in Mako Brimob detention center.

“If [he] is here (Cipinang Prison), media will continue to highlight the issue. The public will see it because of different treatment from the government [to Ahmad Dhani and BTP],” Fahri added.

According to him, Ahmad Dhani has a political position, similar to BTP when jailed due to blasphemy case in 2017, which Fahri deemed triggered Dhani’s case.

“But BTP is afraid to be here [Cipinang Prison], fear of threat to be killed. In contrary, Ahmad Dhani is greeted by people,” Fahri said, joking that other inmates would likely refuse the relocation of Dhani.

Ahmad Dhani is recently imprisoned after the panel of judges of South Jakarta District Court sentenced him one year and six months behind bars due to hate speech case on Monday, January 28.

ADAM PRIREZA