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NU, Muhammadiyah respect police's decision to charge Ahok
Jakarta Post - November 17, 2016
The two Islamic organizations said on Wednesday that they respected the National Police's decision to name Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama a blasphemy suspect for his comment on a Quranic verse while speaking to fishermen in Thousand Islands regency in September.
Muhammadiyah, the country's second-largest Islamic organization, welcomed the police's decision.
Former Muhammadiyah chairman Din Syamsuddin met with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in a closed-door meeting at the State Palace on Wednesday, during which they discussed the sixth World Peace Forum (WPF) held earlier this month, and the fate of the Jakarta governor.
"I think [naming Ahok a blasphemy suspect] is a good [call], since law enforcement is the best way out of various problems in the country," said Din, who now leads the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) advisory board.
Muhammadiyah also appreciated the police for processing the blasphemy case professionally and in a timely fashion, and thanked the President for not intervening and protecting Ahok, his former deputy when he served as Jakarta governor from 2012 to 2014.
In Yogyakarta, Muhammadiyah chairman Haedar Nashir said he appreciated the police for being transparent in handling the case. "Don't let this case make us quarrel. We will only waste energy," he said.
NU, the nation's biggest Islamic organization, called on all parties to respect the police's decision. "There is no need to protest any more since the demands have already been fulfilled," NU secretary-general Helmy Faishal Zaini told The Jakarta Post.
When asked whether the police's decision would hamper efforts to promote pluralism and tolerance in the country, Helmy responded by emphasizing the need to uphold the law. "Our country is based on the rule of law, so we leave it up to the authorities to make a decision," he said.
According to Helmy, the main problem was that Ahok's comments had been regarded as offensive. "In his capacity as a governor, he should have chosen his words carefully so that they would not create controversy or discord among the public," Helmy said.
He further emphasized that leaders had the responsibility to speak in such a way that would not inflict disunity or conflict.
Rights groups Setara Institute said the police's move would hamper the country's effort to promote freedom of faith and religion.
"Ahok is now a victim of identity politics designed by certain groups," Setara director Hendardi said on Wednesday. Hendardi said Ahok had not been proven guilty by the court and people should apply the presumption of innocence principle.
After investigating the blasphemy case for almost one month, including questioning a number of Islamic scholars and linguists, the National Police named Ahok a suspect in the case on Wednesday.
Despite apologizing, Ahok's remarks on the verse triggered outcry, with thousands of people taking to the streets to press the police and President to immediately arrest Ahok.
In a rally on Nov. 4, protesters met with National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian, who promised them the police would complete the case within two weeks.
[Safrin La Batu, Corry Elyda, Ina Parlina, Liza Yosephine and Bambang Muryanto contributed to this story.]
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