REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – An Islamic activist, Irena Handono, was the second witness presented by the public prosecutor in the trial of alleged blasphemy case with Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) as the defendant. The trial was held in the auditorium of the Ministry of Agriculture, South Jakarta on Tuesday.

During the trial, one of Ahok’s legal team, Sirra Prayuna, asked why Irena did not do a clarification (tabayun) before reporting her client on doing an offend to Muslims. Answering the question, Irena challenge the legal team. "Are you ready for the answer? Tabayun is a part of Islamic law. Indonesia is a law-based-country. If we implemented the Islamic law, the defendant has been expelled," said Irena in the auditorium of the Ministry of Agriculture, Jalan Harsono, Ragunan, South Jakarta on Tuesday.

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Hearing the answers, the presiding judge, Dwiyarso Budi Santiarto, immediately asked whether it is better to clarify the information before making a report. Irena answered that clarification is the duty of the Police. "I obey the law. One which has the duty to check and re-check is the police. I, as a citizen, only have the right to report," said Irena.

Does not satisfied with her answer, Sirra gave a question of why the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) did not tabayun before issuing a fatwa stated that the former regent of East Belitung has insulted the Quran. "There will be expert witnesses (to answer the question) and you could ask to MUI," said Irena.

Dwiyarso agreed with her. "You can ask the witnesses of fact," he said.

In this session, the prosecutor is scheduled to bring five witnesses. However, they only bring four witnesses, among others, the Secretary of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah Youth Pedri Kasman, Wahyudin Abdul Rashid from MUI Bogor, Burhanuddin, and Irena Handono.

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