TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Metro Police investigators have probed representatives of Horas Bangso Batak, the community that reported Muslim preacher Abdul Somad for alleged blasphemy. The community legal team member Erwin Situmorang said that his side has fulfilled the police summons.

“Investigators ask 11 questions, and we have answered all of them,” said Erwin in Jakarta Metro Police Headquarters, Tuesday, September 10.

Erwin explained that he was grilled for two hours in the police’s general crime directorate unit. The questions were related to the video of Somad’s sermon, which the Batak community submitted as evidence. “[About] when the sermon took place, evidence, and the event,” he added.

The preacher was accused of committing blasphemy against Christian religion after his video of three-year-ago sermon went viral on social media. During the sermon, Somad said that there is an evil jinn in Christian cross and statue.

In his clarification, Somad said his explanation about the crucifix was meant to answer one of the participants' questions during a private event in a mosque. He also refused to convey an apology for his remarks since it was based on Islamic teachings.

Other than Horas Bangso Batak, Abdul Somad was reported to the National Police by a Christian university students’ organization dubbed Gerakan Mahasiswa Kristen Indonesia (GMKI).

M YUSUF MANURUNG