Indonesia faces test of tolerance as Ahok stands trial

Indonesia faces test of tolerance as Ahok stands trial

Jakarta - The Jakarta police are set to deploy more than 2,000 personnel to secure the first hearing in the trial of non-active Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama over blasphemy allegations at the North Jakarta District Court today.

"For the time being, we can only inform you that more than 2,000 personnel will be ready to secure the hearing tomorrow. We're in the middle of a meeting to discuss the security of the trial," Central Jakarta Police spokesman Comm Suyatno told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

He said security would be heightened, especially around the court.

Ahok - the first Christian to go­­vern Jakarta in more than 50 years - will defend allegations that he insulted the Quran and fight calls for his imprisonment under Indo­nesia's tough blasphemy laws.

Ahok, known for his outspoken style, outraged Muslims when he controversially quoted a passage from the Islamic holy text while campaigning in elections for the Jakarta governorship.

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His remarks ignited a protest movement by hardliners, who have long railed against a non-Muslim in city hall but failed to dent the governor's popularity.

But their rallying cry to defend Islam and punish "the blasphemer" attracted unprecedented support from Muslims both moderate and conservative, who marched against the governor in numbers not seen in many years.

"If he's found guilty, this could be the biggest setback for pluralism in Indonesia's history," said Tobias Basuki from the Jakarta-based Cen­tre for Strategic and International Studies.

Ahok fell foul of Indonesia's archaic blasphemy laws when he insinuated that his opponents had used a verse from the Quran to trick people into voting against him.

An edited version of his speech went viral online, sparking outrage far beyond Jakarta, where Ahok has ruled since his predecessor Joko Widodo became president in late 2014.

The governor apologised but Indonesia's highest religious body, and a slew of radical groups, declared the remarks blasphemous and urged authorities to bring charges.

Critics want the country's blasphemy laws overhauled.

However, others do not feel the same.

National Movement to Save the Indonesian Ulema Council's Fatwa advocacy head Novel Bamukmin said thousands of members and supporters of conservative Islamic organisations would follow the trial and convey their demands.

"We will urge the judges to arrest Ahok," he said, adding that they would bring banners and posters to convey their demands.

The trial - which Widodo and the police have vowed to resolve quickly - will have long-lasting ramifications, analysts say, especially if Ahok is sentenced to five years' jail as allowed by law.

"The government can't let this become a trial by mob, because it will set a terrible precedent for our democracy," said Hendardi.

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