TEMPO.CO, Surabaya - Democrat Party’s Sidoarjo branch executive board (DPC) chair Juana Sari has made a public apology in behalf of its party member Rendra Hadikurniawan, who was recently named as a suspect in a blasphemy case for allegedly defaming the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.
“We apologize to the entire member of the public, especially the entire Muslim community for what has happened,” said Juana on Friday, April 27.
According to Juana, Rendra is the son of a Sidoarjo Legislative Council (DPRD) councilor from the Democrat Party, and that his membership was by his mother’s request.
Read: Amnesty International Calls on RI to Nix Blasphemy Law
Juana suspects that Rendra is currently suffering mental health issues since his mother, the DPRD councilor, had a stroke that added to more economic pressures towards them.
“That might have an effect on Rendra’s psychological health,” said Juana, who has also fired Rendra from the party’s membership.
Read: Major Blasphemy Cases in Indonesia
“We do not tolerate blasphemy,” Juana added.
Previously, Rendra recorded himself speaking in a condescending tone and inappropriate language against the Islamic Prophet through his Facebook account on Wednesday, April 25, which eventually went viral and stirred public uproar.
NUR HADI (CONTRIBUTOR)