TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama has apologized to the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) chairman, Ma’ruf Amin over his statement in blasphemy trial on Tuesday. Ahok apologized in a press release on Wednesday after strong reactions from many, particularly from the followers of Indonesia’s largest Muslim organization the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
The MUI has called for calm from Indonesian Muslims.
Also read: Ahok Apologizes
Ma’ruf Amin, a high-ranking official of the NU, on Tuesday appeared in court as a witness in Ahok’s blasphemy case. During Ma’ruf’s testimony, Ahok said that the MUI edict issued on October 11 on alleged blasphemy against Islam had harmed him, adding that the MUI was rushed to issue the edict upon former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s request.
Ahok and his lawyer Humphrey Djemat questioned Ma’ruf over his meeting with gubernatorial candidate pair Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono-Sylviana Murni at NU Headquarters on October 7 last year. “Ma’ruf’s endorsement to candidate pair no 1 [Agus-Sylvi] was widely reported in the media,” Humphrey said.
Ahok could not hide his anger when Ma’ruf denied that he had met with Agus-Sylvi pair on October 7, a day after alleged blasphemy took place. Ahok said that Ma’ruf was unfit to testify, citing his preference for another gubernatorial hopeful.
Many have slammed Ahok following the incident. Aside from the NU followers, former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and his son, Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono have also expressed their protests. KH Ayub Junaidi, an official of GP Ansor, the youth organization of the NU, of the city of Jember stated: “GP [Youth Movement] Ansor Jember condemns Ahok’s statements that have insulted KH Ma’ruf Amin by making allegations against and threatening him.”
On Wednesday night, Ma’ruf Amin received Jakarta Metro Police chief M. Iriawan, Jakarta Military commander General Teddy Lhaksmana and the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. Iriawan said that the meeting was held to ask MUI chairman Ma’ruf Amin to help the keep peace and calm people down.
REZKI A | FRISKI RIANA | VINDRY FLORENTIN | ANTARA
