TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Muhamad Isnur, the head of case management division at the Legal Aid Institute (LBH), said Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama could report the Islamic Defender Front’s (FPI) with the police for violating the law. “Ahok has a strong legal basis to report FPI,” said Isnur on Thursday.

Isnur also urged the government to handle this situation. “Law enforcement agencies must be present and take firm actions against the FPI as they spread hatred on the grounds of nationality, race, or religion through provocation to discriminate and hate people,” said Isnur.

According to Isnur, the FPI has violated several articles in the 1945 Constitution, which are article 28 clause 3 and article 28I clause two. The two articles guarantee equality for every citizen in the government in spite of their religion and race.

FPI’s action also violates article 28 clause 2 in Electronic Transaction Information Law, article 16 in Law No.40/2008 about Elimination of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination. This action is categorized as criminal offense with a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison.

In a protest rally rejecting Ahok as the next Jakarta governor yesterday, the FPI made some discriminatory comments, such as Ahok being foul-mouthed and Muslims in Jakarta refusing Ahok as governor.

They demanded Ahok leave Jakarta immediately and called him a “vermin” on their banners. They also shouted “Burn Ahok!”

“We respect the FPI’s right to express their opinion in public, but their protest spreads hatred and discrimination. This clearly threatens the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (national motto of Unity in Diversity),” said Isnur.

INDRI MAULIDAR