REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The statement said by one of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama's (Ahok) legal advisors, Humphrey Djemat, in the eighth session of his trial was argued as a misstep. It began when Humphrey threatened the Chairman of Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI), KH Ma’ruf Amin, due to his testimony on Tuesday in the Auditorium of Agriculture Ministry, South Jakarta. 

On that occasion, Humphrey asked Ma’ruf to admit the call he made with the former Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). He also said Ma’ruf had made a false statement. 

The accusation sparked outrage in Muslims communities. The coordinator of legal advisors of National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Council of Ulama’s Fatwa (GNPF MUI), Nasrulloh Nasution, said that the threat might provoke an outrage from Indonesian Muslims, especially the members of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) who were known to have high appreciation to their ulemas. 

He reminded Humphrey that his action to reveal the content of the accused conversation between SBY and Ma’ruf Amin was potentially unlawful, even if it was true information.

"GP Ansor DKI has stated their position, so did Yenny Wahid and the Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) would also state their position," said Nasrulloh to Republika.co.id on Wednesday.

Also read: Ahok’s lawyer tries to link SBY and the issuance of MUI religious statement

He said the police needed to clarified the information stated by Ahok’s lawyer. If it was proven for containing unlawful action, the perpetrators could be charged by the Law of Information and Electronic Transaction and Law of Communication.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Muhammadiyah Youth Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak questioned how did Ahok and his legal team got the recording of Kiai Ma'ruf and SBY's conversation. The tapping was only authorized for State Intelligence Agency (BIN), Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), General Attorney, Police, Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS). "Therefore, there are two possibility, whether Ahok's attorney really got the tape or he's lying," he said.

Dahnil said if Ahok really got the tape, it would be a serious threat to democracy. Possibly, there was an abuse of power by the authority who is authorized to tape. "They are using their authority as political tool for certain group and political parties."

On his official statement, Ahok said he only heard it from the news. He was given information on the conversation of SBY and Kiai Ma'ruf at October 7, 2016. "About this one, I'm going to hand it over to my legal advisor," he said while reiterating that the would not take legal action against Kiai Ma'ruf related to the cleric's statement on last Tuesday trial.

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