TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hundreds of people gathered before the National Police`s criminal investigation department (Bareskrim) building in Gambir, Central Jakarta, to guard the investigation on an Islamic cleric Bahar bin Smith for allegedly defaming President Joko `Jokowi` Widodo.

The mass came from several community groups namely Front Pembela Islam (Islamic Defenders Front), Majelis Pemuda Pecinta Rasulullah, and Jawara Betawi, among others.

An FPI commander Maman Suryadi claimed the mass would increase up to thousands. “It is estimated around 1,000 people. Perhaps, it will continuously increase,” said Maman today, December 6 before the KKP building, Gambir, Central Jakarta.

The mass was reciting salawat or prayers for Prophet Muhammad and bringing banners calling for justice for the cleric.

Bahar bin Smith would be quizzed following two police reports against him for allegedly defaming President Jokowi during his sermon. The reports submitted to the National Police’s criminal investigation department and Jakarta Metro Police Criminal Directorate.

The report at Bareskrim submitted by La Komaruddin on November 28, meanwhile, on the same day, the second report filed by Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) legislative hopeful Muannas Alaidid at the Jakarta Metro Police.

Bahar bin Smith allegedly violated Article 28 (2) in conjunction with Article 45 A(2) of Law No. 19/2018 on the amendment to Law No. 11/2008 on the Electronic Transaction Information (ITE) and Article 4 (b2) in conjunction with Article 16 of Law No. 40/2008 on the Elimination of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination and Article 207 of Penal Code with a sentence of more than 5 years in prison.

ADAM PRIREZA