REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Political expert from Parahyangan University, Bandung, West Java, Asep Warlan Yusuf, said government's effort to protect Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) in the case of religious blasphemy could be seen bluntly. He saw social cohesion has been interrupted because of Ahok. "It's crystal clear. Obviously, Ahok must be very important person to the ruling government," Warlan said to Republika.co.id, on Thursday (March 30).

Warlan explained Ahok could be named as a symbol. He was probably the medium between businessman and the authority. "It has been public secret that Mr. Basuki has a strong interest to the conglomerate," he said.

Warlan noticed that Ahok's performance has always been faster when it related to the authority project. Reclamation was one of it. "That was the most important point that made Ahok's position is secured," Warlan remarked.

According to Warlan, the government supposedly showed firmness against Ahok's status. When Ahok was named defendant in criminal case, moreover with the five years of penalty, the government should be firm. "Don't let him get away with it for it could trigger an uproar in the society," he said.

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