TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The chairwoman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party, Grace Natalie, has been reported to the National Police's criminal investigation division (Bareskrim) for alleged blasphemy related to her recent statement against the creation of a religion-based regional regulation (Perda).
Grace was reported to the police by the Indonesian Muslim Workers’ Brotherhood (PPMI) as the latter deemed her statement contained elements defying the Holy Quran.
“Her statement could be considered as an expression of hostility and hate speech against a religion,” said PPMI secretary-general Zulkhair at the Bareskrim headquarters today.
During PSI’s fourth anniversary at ICE BSD in Tangerang on November 11, Grace Natalie underscored that the party would never throw its weight behind a Perda that is based on any religion, be it Islamic or Christian, in a bid to refrain from creating injustice, discrimination, or any other form of intolerance in the country.
Read: PSI Chief Grace Natalie Quips Prabowo as Conservative
“PSI will prevent the birth of injustice, discrimination, and any other form of intolerance in this nation. PSI will never support any regional government regulation that is based on the Bible or Sharia,” said Grace.
According to Eggi Sudjana, who accompanied PPMI during the filing of the police report, Grace Natalie’s statement is far worse compared to a similar case surrounding the heated 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial race. At the time, former Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama was put behind bars for blasphemy.
ANDITA RAHMA
