"The government will not protect Ahok," Joko Widodo stated.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo affirmed that the government would pursue the legal process in the alleged blasphemy case against Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) firmly and transparently.

"The government will not protect Ahok," Joko Widodo stated after a meeting with the leaders of the Muhammadiyah Islamic organization here on Tuesday.

The president also lauded the board members of Muhammadiyah who helped ensure that the demonstration on November 4 remains peaceful.

The head of state pointed out that Muhammadiyah and the government discussed various aspects related to the economic and political scenarios.

The president also praised the inputs given by Muhammadiyah.

Muhammadiyah urged the government to communicate with Islamic organizations and interfaith leaders effectively.

The meeting, which began at 10.00 a.m and lasted 90 minutes, was attended by Muhammadiyahs general chairman, Haedar Nashir as also by the Secretary of State, Pratikno.

Meanwhile, Vice President Jusuf Kalla stated that the alleged case of blasphemy involving Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) should be resolved as per law.

"The case does not concern religion or politics," Jusuf Kalla stressed while on board the Presidential Plane Boeing 737-400 here on Monday.

The case should be resolved by the law enforcement agencies, including the police and the attorney generals office.

"Indonesia is a state of law. We should address the case as per the law of the land," the vice president remarked.

More than 100 thousand people protested against the Jakarta governors allegedly blasphemous statement concerning the Holy Quran.

The protestors had come from various regions across the country, such as East Java, West Java, Central Java, South Kalimantan and West Sumatra.

In his speech before the protesters here on Friday, Kiai Jafar Siddiq, an ulema (Islamic scholar) from Jakarta, stressed that the peaceful rally did not have anything to do with the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial election or other political interests.

The Muslims were united in the rally while calling for law enforcement against those who allegedly committed blasphemy, he stressed.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016