REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – One of the complainant of blasphemy case involving Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok as a defendant, Pedri Kasman, argued that police request to postpone the plea reading was inappropriate. He said only related parties, in this case the public prosecutors, the defendant, and the panel of judges, has the right to do it.

"It might be interpreted as intervening and influencing the trial. Moreover, the letter from Jakarta Metro Police Chief was directed to the Chairman of North Jakarta District Court,” said Pedri to Republika.co.id on Friday (April 7).

Pedri said, even the chairman and the institution of North Jakarta District Court did not have the authority to intervene Ahok’s trial. So does any institution that got a copy of the letter. The trial was fully on the authority of the panel of judges.

Also read: For security reason, police asks court to postpone plea reading of Ahok's case

"We understand the reasons stated by Jakarta Metro Police as the responsible party for the security of Jakarta.  But, postponing the plea reading because of an election seems to had political tendency,” he said.

He added that point three of the letter mentioned about Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno's case. It seemed like a bargain. Pedri said he supports the decision of the panel of judges to continue the trial on Tuesday (April 11).

"If the reason is to maintain the security, police should detain Ahok since the beginning,” said Pedri.

Pedri argued that the situation became intense as Ahok had not been detained. In fact, the requirement to detain him had been met. "It disturb the sense of justice of the people," he said.

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