TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Expert witnesses gave their testimony in the 15th hearing of blasphemy trial against Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, also known as Ahok on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at the Agriculture Ministry's auditorium in South Jakarta. A linguist from Universitas Indonesia and religious studies expert of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) brought to blasphemy trial said that Basuki's speech on the Seribu Islands last year cannot be considered as blasphemy.
The third expert witness was Djisman Samosir, a criminal law expert from Parahyangan Catholic University in Bandung. Djisman highlighted the reason behind the inclusion of two articles into the Indonesian Criminal Code used to charge Ahok.
Below are the key points of the witnesses' testimony.
Linguist Rahayu Sutiati
- Ahok's speech on the Pramuka Island was given in the Indonesian language in the Betawi dialect.
- The word 'pakai' (using) has an adverbial nature.
- In his speech, Ahok said that the surah al-Maidah, verse 51 of the Quran was used as a tool to deceive voters.
According to Rahayu, Ahok only focused on explaining fish farming programs. "Since all his words were geared towards the fish farming program," Rahayu said.
Meanwhile, KH Ahmad Ishomuddin, a member of the Nadhlatul Ulama Consultative Board (Rais Syuriah) also said that there was no element of blasphemy in Ahok's speech.
"Blasphemy is stamping on the Quran or putting it in inappropriate places, for example," Ahmad said.
Key points of KH Ahmad Ishomuddin testimony
- Rejecting the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) religious stance
- Stated that the MUI should have asked Ahok to clarify the issue before taking the stance.
- The MUI opinion and stance had led to anti-Ahok rallies.
- The word 'auliya' in the Quran is still debatable. Ahmad said that 'auliya' in surah al-Maidah, verse 51 means allies, not leaders.
FRISKI RIANA | DEVY ERNIS
