We do hope the legal process of this blasphemy case is conducted based on the principles of equality before the law and transparencyJakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Ulema Council (MUI) praised the National Police for immediately arresting YouTuber Muhammad Kace over a blasphemy case and is optimistic of him being tried on the basis of the principle of equality before law.
"We do hope the legal process of this blasphemy case is conducted based on the principles of equality before the law and transparency," MUI deputy secretary for Legal and Human Rights Affairs Ikhsan Abdullah remarked.
Kace was arrested at his hideout in the Banjar Untal-Untal Hamlet of Ulang Village, Kuta Utara Sub-district, Badung District, Bali Province, on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. local time.
From the resort island, Kace was then taken to Jakarta on Wednesday afternoon for questioning, according to Chief of the National Police's Criminal Investigation Department Senior Commissioner Agus Andrianto.
Kace, a former Muslim who has converted to Christianity, was arrested following a police probe into complaints filed by Muslims, who accused him of having repeatedly insulted Islam and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in videos that he uploaded on his YouTube channel.
Related news: Police offer trauma-healing support to 11 survivors of terror attack
As disclosed in a statement that ANTARA quoted here, Thursday, Abdullah affirmed that MUI's central executive board and leaders of all MUI provincial chapters commended the police's law enforcement against Kace.
"Along with the Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, and all Muslim-based organizations affiliating with MUI, we continue to monitor the legal process for this blasphemy case," he remarked.
In some of his remarks, which went viral, Kace has, for instance, said Muhammad bin Abdullah (the prophet) was "surrounded by devils and liars," ANTARA noted.
He is also alleged to have intentionally shown disrespect to the teachings of Quran and changed the greeting for Muslims.
Prior to his arrest, the Indonesian Communication and Informatics Ministry had disclosed that the contents of Kace's videos had violated the rules of Indonesia's Electronic Information and Transaction (ITE) Law.
Related news: North Sumatra police nabs a drug courier, seizes 13 kg of crystal meth
In a bid to prevent the proliferation of blasphemous content on social media platforms, the ministry has provided a special website (https://www.aduankonten.id/) where content violating the law can be reported by the public, according to the officials.
The blasphemy case involving Kace has triggered public outrage over the past few days, with the youth wing of Muhammadiyah, Pemuda Muhammadiyah (PM), urging the police to immediately take action against him.
Muhammadiyah is Indonesia's second-largest Muslim organization after the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
Chairman of the PM-Central Jakarta chapter Akmil Faisal was quoted by CNN Indonesia on Wednesday as saying that he will organize a mass rally if the police did not arrest Kace.
According to CNN Indonesia, Faisal gave the police three days to arrest Kace and called on people to stay calm and continue to maintain unity among interfaith communities in the country.
Related news: YouTuber Muhammad Kace arrested in blasphemy case
Related news: Govt disburses Rp51.97 trillion in tax incentives as of mid-August
Translator: Asep F, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
