REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Political observer from Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI)  Siti Zuhro said it would be difficult for Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) to circumvent the law when the police is fair. Moreover, if the legal facts were available. "In the contrary, if the public knew Ahok legal process was fashioned, it would trigger disappointment and chafe among Muslims nor the parties who wanted the law to be enforced," she said.

Siti considered religious blasphemy by the Jakarta's governor was a high stake in law enforcement in Indonesia. The public would judge the authority's decision about Ahok, whether to punish or free him. "If the concrete facts of violation against campaign period which he steal to start and religious blasphemy ended with a penalty or punishment to the incumbent, it will surely affects Ahok's acceptability and elect-ability," she said.

Meanwhile, the National Polices Criminal Investigation Departments (Bareskrim) has questioned Ahok as a witness. The police asked him about his acivities in Seribu Islands which became the beginning of the case of alleged blasphemy. "We have also questioned nine other witnesses," National Police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar said in the Presidential Palace on Monday (10/24).

According to Boy, Bareskrim would also called experts in religion and language as witnesses. Their statement would complete the evidences. "After that, we will analyze the evidences gathered by the investigator and then they will decide whether there is a criminal offense or not," he explained.

Police analyst, Bambang Widodo Umar appreciated the police for showing their sensitivity in responding the social situation lately by examining Jakarta Governor Ahok. The police has showed their professionalism, being proportional, and independent in the term of equality before the law. "Ahok's case should be a lesson learned for every candidates in regional elections as they had  to keep their attitude, not playing around in the racial, religious and ethnic issues (also known as 'SARA')."

Ahok has visited the Bareskrim headquarters, Jakarta, on Monaday (10/24). "(I'm here to explain) About Seribu Islands, surah Al Maidah (verse 51)," Ahok said.

Previously Ahok came to the State Palace. He met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Ahok denied he has offended Muslims clerics and the Holy Quran surah Al Maidah verse 51. "I respect all Holy Books and respect the clerics. I have no intention to insult. I would like to apologize for anyone offended."

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