APSN | Strong political involvement in Ahok blasphemy case, Yudhoyono a burden to Agus: Watchdog

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Strong political involvement in Ahok blasphemy case, Yudhoyono a burden to Agus: Watchdog

Jakarta Globe - February 4, 2017

Agus Yudhoyono backs father's claims of wiretapping – Jakarta Post. February 3, 2017
The real reason many poor Jakartans are opposing Ahok in the gubernatorial election – Sydney Morning Herald. February 3, 2017
MUI urges Muslims to restrain from rallying against Ahok's latest statements – Jakarta Post. February 2, 2017
Yudhoyono barking up wrong tree, Jokowi says – Jakarta Post. February 2, 2017
SBY calls for investigation into alleged 'Watergate' scandal involving Ahok – Jakarta Post. February 1, 2017

Jakarta – Yunarto Wijaya of Charta Politika watchdog has warned of a strong political influence in Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama's blasphemy trial.

According to Yunarto, the political involvement in the case was particularly visible on Wednesday (01/02), when former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono held a press conference, during which he said he will "seek justice" over allegations that he had been colluding with Ma'ruf Amin, chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council, or MUI, and a witness for the prosecution in the blasphemy case against Ahok.

Yudhoyono said a recording of a telephone conversation between himself and Ma'ruf, which Ahok's lawyers allegedly received, constituted wiretapping and political espionage.

Various state and law enforcement agencies, including the National Police, National Intelligence Agency and Indonesian Military, have since denied the accusation.

"SBY's [Yudhoyono's] stance has given additional political burden to his son, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, who is also running for Jakarta governor's seat," Yunarto said on Thursday (02/02).

"SBY's statement will give electoral burden to Agus, as the public is becoming increasingly suspicious that SBY is actually playing a role in Ahok's case. If he had remained silent, he would have gained sympathy."

With regard to Ahok's objections to Ma'ruf's testimony during the eighth session of the blasphemy trial, Yunarto said that arguments between witnesses and defendants are common; the latter have to defend themselves, while the former want to see them punished.

However, he added, with Ma'ruf's position as the MUI chairman, certain manners need to be followed. "The issue of manners might have been neglected when [the defendant] was seeking the substantial facts," Yunarto said.

He added that Ahok's immediate public apology to Ma'ruf was the right move. "The apology was good. Now he has to meet with Ma'ruf and apologize to him in person. This should be done to prevent the emergence of unnecessary issues in the time remaining [to the gubernatorial election on Feb. 15]."

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/strong-political-involvement-ahok-blasphemy-case-yudhoyono-burden-agus-watchdog/.