Ahok Must be Jailed for Protesters` Satisfaction: Syafii Maarif

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Top cleric Ahmad Syafii Maarif, founder of Maarif Institute, said that inactive Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama should be sent to 400 years in jail.

“If the court can prove the elements of crime in the act committed by Basuki Tjahaja Purnama alias Ahok on September 27, I suggest he should be given 400 years over alleged blasphemy against the Koran, Muslims’ holy book, for the satisfaction of those making the allegations,” Maarif wrote in an article on Koran Tempo Friday’s edition, December 2, 2016.

According to Maarif, future generations will eventually reflect on the extent of the allegations. “A generation of people who hopefully are calmer and wiser in understanding Indonesian politics, which is full of vengeance at present,” he wrote.

Maarif criticizes Indonesian legal system for buckling under massive pressure from certain people. He expects Ahok to be mentally prepared to stand trial.

Earlier, Maarif said that Ahok did not insult Islam in a speech given by him on the Seribu Islands, Jakarta, during which he made reference to surah al-Maidah, verse 51 of the Koran. “Ahok did not say that the al-Maida was a lie,” he said.

Maarif said Ahok criticized those using the Koran to dissuade people from voting for the incumbent governor in the upcoming 2017 Jakarta election. On the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) fatwa, Syafii said that the institution ought to issue fatwas based on a thorough analysis in order to maintain its dignity.

KURNIAWAN