Ahok apologises for disputing Quranic verse while campaigning

Jakarta Govenor Basuki Thahaja (Cahaya) Purnama or better known as Ahok has made an open apology for offending Muslims when questioning the Al-Maidah verse in the holy Quran while campaigning in Pulau Seribu, here recently.

The online media yesterday quoted Ahok as saying that what he said in his speech when meeting voters there did not intend to dispute the meaning of the surah or make fun of the Quran.

"I apologise and hope that my error will not be dwell on as I did not have the intention to do so (hurt the feelings of Muslims), as was reported by certain parties," he said.

Ahok who is being challenged by two candidates for his post, claimed that there were people who were trying to mislead voters by quoting ayat 51 of the verse, that Muslims are prohibited from choosing non-Muslims as their leaders.

This governor who often attracts the attention of the media for his brave yet unpopular actions such as relocating squatters and destroying prostitution dens is the only non-Muslim candidate competing for the post as governor in concurrent district elections next February.

Indonesian police public relations head, Boy Rafli Amar said in a statement that its crime investigation division received reports from the public claiming that Ahok's statement mocked Islam.

He said police will investigate the allegations and urged all parties to not touch on sensitive issues when campaigning, to avoid undesirable incidents from occurring.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) in a statement said, Ahok's speech was an offence as it had insulted the Quran and religious scholars who translated the meaning of the surah.

MUI chairman Ma’ruf Amin said the verse clearly forbids Muslims from choosing a Jew or a Christian as their leader, and Ahok's statement that Muslims were deceived by the verse was an insult to Islam.

He said MUI calls for the government and the public to maintain harmony among religions, communities and races while preventing any desecration and sacrilege of the Quran and Islam.

Ma’ruf also urged the authorities to take stern action against those who defiled the Quran and Islam, and asked the public to be calm and let the authorities do their work.

Meanwhile, non-governmental organisation, Jaringan Swadaya Warga Jakarta Raya (Jawara), which supports Ahok and his running mate Djarot Saiful Hidayat, called for all parties to stop using sentiments on race and religion to win the support of the public.

Its chairman, Mulyadi Guntur said the election campaign was taking a nasty turn with the democratic process tainted with issues of religion and race.

"Ahok has already apologised for his transgression. Nobody is perfect. As a 'Pancasila' nation, we should forgive him. Let due process take its course," he said.

Ahok who has the support of the PDI-P party led by former Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnopitri as well as Golkar and Nasdem is up against Anies Baswedan and his running mate Sandiaga Uno and the pair of Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono-Sylviana Murni.

These two pairs are expected to give intense competition to Ahok as they represent the influence of President Susilo Bambang Yodhoyono and former presidential candidate for the 2014 election, Prabowo Subianto.

The coming election on Feb 20 will witness more than 7.4 million Jakarta citizens voting for the selection of its governor and deputy governor. - BERNAMA