Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Chairman of the House of Representatives Ade Komaruddin urged the police to conduct the legal process of Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnamas (Ahok) blasphemy case fairly and transparently.

"We should entrust the police to carry out their duties," Komaruddin said here on Tuesday.

The House Speaker pointed out that the public should respect the legal process.

"Indonesia is a state of law and it has rules in the legal process," Komaruddin said.

Purnama earlier refused to comment after being grilled by the police for about nine hours over his recent alleged blasphemous statement here on Monday.

"I think it has all been cleared. If you want to know anything else, you may just ask the investigators. I want to go home. I am hungry," he said and left immediately.

Ahok, as the governor is also referred to, was asked 22 questions at the National Police Headquarters for nine hours as a witness. This was apart from the 18 questions he had received when he reached the police headquarters at 8.15am on his own initiative to issue a clarification over his statement.

Ahok had received a total of 40 questions, the chief of Ahoks team of lawyers, Sirra Prayuna, explained.

"The investigation had gone smoothly and Pak (Mr) Ahok could answer all the questions that have been given to him," he said.

The police have so far heard testimonies from 29 witnesses in connection with the investigation of the case.

The witnesses who have given testimonies include 12 law, language, interpretation and religious experts, and 13 other witnesses presented by the parties that have submitted complaints against Ahok.

The police questioned four witnesses that day including Ahok.

Hundreds of thousands of Muslims participated in a demonstration organized by several Islamic organizations on Friday.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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