REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The Head of Legal Bureau of the Ministry of Domestic Affairs, Pudjianto Sigit Widodo, said the official status of the inactive Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) would be decided as soon as possible. He said he was finalizing a study on the law on Ahok’s official status. "Of course, we have taken an action on this. It would be announced soon, at least until February 12," said Widodo told Republika.co.id on Thursday.

Widodo said he was completing a legal advice on Ahok’s status as a defendant of blasphemy case. The recommendations would be the basis of a decision on Ahok’s status. However, it was still reluctant to give details of the recommendations. "We consider the existing dynamics. It was also based on the rule of Law Number 23 Year 2014," he said.

Previously, the Director General of Regional Autonomy in the Ministry of Domestic Affairs, Sumarsono, said the status of Ahok would be adjusted to the prosecution. Suspension against Ahok as Jakarta governor would only happen when there was an imprisonment of minimum five years for blasphemy case. 

Also read: Govt violates the law if reactivating Ahok: Observer

"As already presented by the Minister of Domestic Affairs, the clarity of the status depend on the clarity of the prosecution. How many years was the charge? If it was under five years, he do not need to be suspended. If it was over five years, yes he will be suspended," said Sumarsono in Jakarta, Wednesday.

Ahok was charged with Article 156a with a maximum of five years imprisonment and article 156 of the Criminal Code with maximum four years imprisonment. His  leave campaign will be ended on Saturday (Feb 11). 

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