Jakarta governor apologises to Muslims over remarks about Koran verse

“I want to apologise to Muslims or other people who feel offended. I never intended to insult Islam or the Koran,” Ahok said at City Hall yesterday.

Several organisations reported Ahok to the police, accusing him of religious defamation.

Ahok said he was not against Islam and cited some of his policies that he said had benefited Muslims, such as granting permits for Islamic schools, providing Jakarta Smart Cards (KJP) to students and building a mosque in the City Hall complex.

He added that during his speech made in the Thousand Islands on September 27, in which he mentioned Surah al-Maidah, verse 51 of the Koran, the residents were not insulted.

“They even laughed while listening,” he said.

The former East Belitung regent said he regretted that his statement had created public uproar and hoped that the issue would soon come to an end.

In part of his speech, Ahok said: “In your inner hearts, Bapak/Ibu may not vote for me, because [you have been] lied to by [using] Surah al-Maidah, verse 51, etc … So, if you cannot vote for me because you are afraid of being condemned to hell you do not need to feel uneasy as you are being fooled. It is alright.”
- The Jakarta Post
Asia News Network