Police are investigating a case involving a challenge to memorise the\nQur\u2019an in exchange for alcoholic drinks during The Sounds Project music\nconcert in Ancol, North Jakarta. Two perpetrators have now been\narrested. \u201cThe blasphemy perpetrators have been secured at the North\nJakarta Metro Police,\u201d said Acting North Jakarta Metro Police Chief,\nSenior Commissioner Oki Waskito, to reporters on Wednesday (12\/8\/2026).\nThe two perpetrators are a woman with the initial R and a man with the\ninitial E. Police have not yet detailed their respective roles. \u201cThe\nplan is to hold a case conference tonight, or tomorrow at the latest,\nwithin the 24-hour window from this morning to determine the elevation\nto the investigation process,\u201d he said. Police also have not ruled out\ntargeting other parties involved and are currently conducting a series\nof further investigations.<\/p>\n
The event organiser, The Sounds Project, had previously spoken out on\nthe matter, expressing their condemnation of the incident. \u201cWe, as the\nevent organiser, are also angry, disappointed, and condemn this\nbehaviour. We have never and will never condone behaviour that uses\nreligion as material for a challenge or product promotion in any form,\u201d\nThe Sounds Project stated via its official Instagram account. The\norganiser claimed the incident was not in accordance with their\ndirection or approval and has reprimanded the sponsor, demanding they\nresolve the case thoroughly. \u201cWe have reprimanded the relevant sponsor\nand asked them to resolve this case to its conclusion,\u201d the statement\nread. They will also oversee the case and identify the individuals\ndirectly involved in the incident so they can be held accountable, and\nwill conduct an evaluation to prevent similar occurrences.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Newport Director Handoko Sasongko also issued an apology.\nHandoko asserted that the activity was not a programme or promotional\nconcept. \u201cIn connection with the circulating video at the Newport booth\nduring The Sounds Project music festival on Sunday (9\/8), Newport\nextends its apologies to all Muslims, religious leaders, and the entire\nIndonesian community for the incident that caused discomfort, hurt, and\npublic uproar,\u201d Handoko said in a statement on Tuesday (11\/8). \u201cNewport\nneeds to clarify that the activity was not a programme, promotional\nconcept, challenge, or directive created or planned by Newport. The\nactivity emerged spontaneously from visitors at the location,\u201d he added.\nHandoko also acknowledged a weakness in on-site supervision, expressing\nregret that the situation was not handled properly when the incident\noccurred. \u201cNewport deeply regrets that the situation was not handled as\nit should have been at the time of the incident. We regret the weakness\nin supervising visitors who were able to take over the microphone from\nthe MC on the field, allowing actions inconsistent with the religious\nvalues, beliefs, culture, and customs upheld by the community to occur,\u201d\nhe said. Newport stressed that it respects religious values and the\nsensitivities within Indonesian society, emphasising that respect for\nthese values is paramount in all of the company\u2019s activities and\ninteractions with the public.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-arrest-two-over-quran-memorisation-challenge-for-alcohol-at-jakarta-concert-1786539244", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }