Indonesian govt’s response to editorial on blasphemy verdict
With reference to the editorial “A setback for Indonesia”, published by The Nation on May 15, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia would like to offer clarification of the judges’ verdict in the blasphemy case of Mr Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok).
1. For the government of Indonesia and its people, promoting and upholding the implementation of rule of law and law enforcement indiscriminately for all Indonesian nationalities, regardless of status, religion and ethnicity, is a pillar of democracy and human rights.
2. The judges’ verdict on Mr Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) is a clear form of the implementation of rule of law and law enforcement, as it is based on Indonesian positive law. Before the verdict, Ahok’s legal case went through due process of law exercised in transparent and fair manner. This due process and verdicts have been applied equally to other Indonesian nationalities who were found to have committed blasphemy.
3. The Indonesian government has called on the public to respect the court’s ruling on the Ahok case and follow the next due process of law, including any appeal taken up by Mr Basuki Tjahaja Purnama. The government stressed that Indonesia, as a democratic country, will leave all legal matters to the due process of law, with no intervention by government or other parties.
4. As a democratic institution and entity, the Indonesian government and its people fully respect any kind of freedom of expression by Indonesians regarding both pros and cons to the Ahok verdict, provided such expression does not violate or disturb public order and is conducted in accordance with the rule of law.
Dodo Sudradjat
Minister Counsellor for Information,
Society and Culture
