Ahok`s Lawyer Deplores Religious Affairs Minister Tweet

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s lawyer Humphrey Djemat has deplored Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin’ tweet on his account @lukmansaifuddin saying that voting for a gubernatorial candidate based on religion does not violate the constitution.

Humphrey said that Lukman’s tweet was made in response to Ahok’s statement that voting for a candidate based on religion was against the constitution. “Ahok made the statement in his position as a candidate in Jakarta election and talking about avoidance of [touching on] SARA [ethnicity and religions] which are of course against the constitution,” he said in a written statement.

Moreover, Humphrey said that Ahok’s statement was made before the lull period of the campaign, whereas Lukman said his during the lull period. “Some might interpret it as a campaign [for or against] certain candidates,” he said.

Lukman is the Religious Affairs Minister from the United Development Party (PPP) warring faction led by Romahurmuziy. The faction endorses candidates number one in Jakarta election Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and Sylviana Murni.

Meanwhile, Humphrey is the vice president of PPP warring faction led by Djan Faridz, who supports Ahok and Djarot Saiful Hidayat pair.

Humphrey has asked Lukman to remain neutral, citing his position as the Religious Affairs Minister. He has asked President Joko Widodo tell Lukman to restrain himself. He said that Lukman’s statement could violate the laws that ban campaigning during the lull period. Humphrey said that Lukman should have instead given good examples to the Indonesian people.

As of press time, Lukman’s tweet had garnered 2000 retweets, 1200 likes, and 557 replies.

Earlier, during the gubernatorial transition from acting Jakarta governor Sumarsono, Ahok said that voting for gubernatorial candidates based on religion was against the constitution.

AHMAD FAIZ