Related News
Tearful Jakarta chief in Quran row
Print Edition
A TEARFUL governor of Jakarta yesterday denied he had intended to insult the Quran at the start of his blasphemy trial in the Indonesian capital, which is seen as a test of religious freedom in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.
Around 100 Muslim protesters calling for the jailing of Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama chanted “God is great” outside the court, while supporters of the ethnic Chinese Christian sang the national anthem.
A cordon of police stood guard outside the court after Muslims, led by hardliners, took to the streets in December and November, to call for Purnama’s arrest and to urge voters not to re-elect him in February.
The rallies, with over 150,000 participants each, were the biggest Jakarta has seen in nearly two decades.
Purnama told the court he had not intended any insult during a trip to islands off Jakarta when he commented on opponents use of the Quran in political campaigning.
“It is clear what I said in Pulau Seribu (the thousand Islands) was not intended to interpret the (Quran), let alone to insult Islam or the ulema,” said Purnama, who was responding after the prosecutor read out the charges.
The governor said that his comments were targeted at rival politicians trying to get an unfair advantage in the election by saying that voters should not support a non-Muslim.
Purnama, who is running for re-election against two Muslim candidates, described a loving relationship with his adoptive Muslim parents on the remote Bangka island.
“I am very saddened that I have been accused of insulting Islam because this accusation is the same as saying that I am insulting my adoptive parents and siblings.”
During the hearing, Purnama sounded typically defiant at times. Quoting from his book “Hiding Behind Holy Verses,” he said many in the country’s political elite were “cowards” who sought to divide Indonesians to gain power.
Purnama faces up to five years in prison. Almost all blasphemy cases in recent years have ended in conviction. Supporters of the governor, whose nickname is Ahok, were also outside the trial.
“He is absolutely suited to be governor,” said Charles Simanjuntak, 46, who praised the development of the city under Purnama and said he did not believe the governor had committed blasphemy.
Among the protesters opposed to the governor, one group held a placard reading “Jailing Ahok = fair government.”
President Joko Widodo, seen as an ally to Purnama, has blamed “political actors” for fuelling the protests. Widodo has faced widespread criticism for not doing enough to protect the country’s religious minorities.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
