Jakarta governor Ahok tearful at blasphemy trial, denies insulting Quran
In a high-profile blasphemy case that appears to test plurality and tolerance in Muslim-majority country of Indonesia, Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, also known for his nickname "Ahok," delivered at the start of his trial on Tuesday an emotional defense against allegations that he insulted the Quran.
Ahok, a Christian of Chinese descent, is the first non-Muslim to govern the country's capital in 50 years. He faces blasphemy charges for his statements during a September speech wherein he cited Surah al-Maidah verse 51 of the Quran, in which it is stated that Muslims should not take Jews and Christians as allies.
He said, according to The Jakarta Post, "In your inner hearts, Bapak/Ibu may not vote for me, because [you have been] lied to by Surah al-Maidah, verse 51, etc. It is your rights. So you do not need to feel uneasy if you cannot vote for me because you are afraid of being condemned to hell as you are being fooled. It is alright."
At the trial, Ahok explained that such remarks were intended at politicians who were incorrectly using the verse to gain support and get ahead of him in the Jakarta gubernatorial race. He argued that his choice of words might have been taken in the wrong context or were misinterpreted.
The usually brash-talking politician was holding back tears as he tried to convince the five judges in the panel that there was no intention on his part to insult the Quran. He also said that he has Muslim godparents whom he deeply respects, adding that it was even his adoptive sibling who paid for his first postgraduate tuition fee at the university.
In conclusion, he appealed for the dismissal of the charges "so I can go back to serving the citizens of Jakarta and developing the city."
The allegations have negatively impacted Ahok's standing at the polls for Indonesia's regional elections, which will take place in February 2017. He now trails behind two Muslim candidates from being the frontrunner.
If found guilty of the allegations, Ahok faces five years' jail time. According to Amnesty International, they recorded 106 convictions from breaking blasphemy laws in Indonesia from 2006 to 2014.
