JK Gathers Islamic Organisations to Discuss Blasphemy Issue

Former Vice President of Indonesia’s 10th and 12th administrations, Jusuf Kalla (JK), held a meeting with several Islamic organisations at his residence on Jalan Brawijaya in the Kebayoran Baru area of South Jakarta on Tuesday (28/4) evening.

The meeting was reportedly attended by 40 leaders of Islamic organisations. They attended as a form of defence for JK, who was recently reported to the Metro Jaya Police for alleged blasphemy.

“Driven by discomfort among Islamic figures that recently, those who have been defending Father Jusuf Kalla the most are Christian figures, both from the PGI and KWI. Thus, leaders of Islamic organisations felt moved to pay a visit and discuss what has happened lately,” said Din Syamsuddin after the meeting, as a representative of the attending organisations.

The meeting lasted about three hours, from 20:00 to around 23:00 WIB. Din assessed that the blasphemy accusation against JK’s speech at UGM campus some time ago has caused an uproar in the public sphere.

According to him, the excerpt of the speech video is too tendentious, provocative, and only serves to incite division.

“Therefore, from among the Islamic organisations, there are advocates who will sue the person involved, because this is not the first time; it has happened several times, spreading slander and inciting division among religious communities,” said Din.

Din emphasised that they have mobilised several advocates to defend JK in the case. He even threatened to report back against the parties who reported JK.

“That’s up to the advocates later. In the near future, perhaps this April as well, or at the latest early May,” he said.

The day before, several parties and organisations also gathered at the same location. They expressed their defence of JK in the blasphemy reporting case.

The attending organisations ranged from KAHMI, Catholic organisations, to youth organisations such as HMI, PMII, GMKI, and PMKRI.