Ma'ruf Amin expects to meet Ahok's supporters

Kiai Ma'ruf was one of witnesses that testify against Ahok in blasphemy case trial.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Vice presidential candidate of presidential candidate President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), KH Ma’ruf Amin said he wanted to meet former Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) supporters. Ahok was the incumbent President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)'s deputy governor when he served as Jakarta governor in 2012 to 2014.

He said the meeting is expected to be held on a special occasion. “If in various forums, it’s usual. We need special meeting,” said Kiai Ma’ruf on Monday (Sept 24).

Kiai Ma’ruf conveyed his wish after welcoming Ahok Archipelago Volunteer initiator Nusron Wahid on Monday morning. From the meeting with Nusron, he noticed that some of Ahok’s supporters felt uneasy as they looked back to Kiai Ma'ruf's past when he testified against Ahok in blasphemy case.

In his testimony, Kiai Ma’ruf assessed Ahok did blasphemy. He was sentenced for his blasphemous statement regarding al Maidah verse 51 of the Quran.

“There are allegation that seen my past as Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) chairman and Ahok’s supporters feel uneasy with that. For me nothing is wrong and I have to interact with all parties for the sake of the country's unity. I want to meet them all,” Kiai Ma’ruf who is Jokowi's running mate in the 2019 presidential election explained.

According to the judges, there were several points that incriminating the defendant. Firstly, Ahok did not feel guilty over his statement as an insult to religion. Secondly, Ahok's statement was harming religious harmony.

On May 9, 2017, the judges in South Jakarta District Court sentenced Ahok to two years imprisontment over blasphemy. According to the judges, there were several points that incriminating the defendant. Firstly, Ahok did not feel guilty over his statement as an insult to religion. Secondly, Ahok's statement was harming religious harmony.

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