TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor's candidate Basuki Tjahaja Purnama—better known as Ahok—apologized to the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) chairman Ma’ruf Amin. The statement he directed at Amin during his blasphemy trial has sparked anger.
On Tuesday's trial, Ahok said Ma'ruf testimony against him was not objective and tended to discredit him. "I object to the witness' accusation that I insulted the clergy," said Ahok.
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He also accused Ma'ruf of affiliating with Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, his rival in the 2017 elections Jakarta gubernatorial election. He claimed to have evidence of communication between Ma'ruf and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Agus's father and Indonesia's 6th president, that happened last October, to the which he and his lawyers will take "legal process" against.
The statement angered people from the MUI and the Nahdatul Ulama as well as Islamic groups. Secretary-General of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Abdul Kadir Karding said NU students and followers will defend Ma'ruf.
Chairman of the Ansor Youth Movement (GP Ansor) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said Ansor he is ready to mobilize members to defend Ma'ruf. According to Yaqut, Ma'ruf testimony was appropriate given his position as MUI chairman and respected member of the NU.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of the Wahid Institute, Yenny Wahid, asked Ahok not to report Ma'ruf to the police. "It would be very wise for Pak Ahok to take a dialogical approach," she said.
The many criticisms prompted Ahok to make an apology. "I apologize to Ma'ruf Amin if [my statement] seemed to have cornered him," Ahok said in a written statement yesterday afternoon. He also said he will not report Ma'ruf to the police.
Yesterday evening, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Panjaitan, Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. M. Iriawan, and Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Teddy Lhaksmana met with Ma'ruf Amin at his home, reportedly to ask him to forgive Ahok.
Ahok is being charged with blaspheming Islam due to his statement about Surah Al-Maidah verse 51 I Seribu Island. Based on the speech, MUI issued a fatwa that Ahok have insulted the Quran and Islamic clergy. The fatwa sparked a wave of protests and demands to prosecute Ahok, which have nor put him in the defendant's chair.
In Tuesday's trial, Ma'ruf said the fatwa was issued because Ahok's statement caused a stir. He denied providing support to Agus.
VINDRY FLORENTIN | FRISKI RIANA | INGE KLARA SAFITRI | ANTARA
