Police Arrest Two Over Qur'an Memorisation Challenge for Alcohol at Jakarta Concert

Police are investigating a case involving a challenge to memorise the Qur’an in exchange for alcoholic drinks during The Sounds Project music concert in Ancol, North Jakarta. Two perpetrators have now been arrested. “The blasphemy perpetrators have been secured at the North Jakarta Metro Police,” said Acting North Jakarta Metro Police Chief, Senior Commissioner Oki Waskito, to reporters on Wednesday (12/8/2026). The two perpetrators are a woman with the initial R and a man with the initial E. Police have not yet detailed their respective roles. “The plan is to hold a case conference tonight, or tomorrow at the latest, within the 24-hour window from this morning to determine the elevation to the investigation process,” he said. Police also have not ruled out targeting other parties involved and are currently conducting a series of further investigations.

The event organiser, The Sounds Project, had previously spoken out on the matter, expressing their condemnation of the incident. “We, as the event organiser, are also angry, disappointed, and condemn this behaviour. We have never and will never condone behaviour that uses religion as material for a challenge or product promotion in any form,” The Sounds Project stated via its official Instagram account. The organiser claimed the incident was not in accordance with their direction or approval and has reprimanded the sponsor, demanding they resolve the case thoroughly. “We have reprimanded the relevant sponsor and asked them to resolve this case to its conclusion,” the statement read. They will also oversee the case and identify the individuals directly involved in the incident so they can be held accountable, and will conduct an evaluation to prevent similar occurrences.

Meanwhile, Newport Director Handoko Sasongko also issued an apology. Handoko asserted that the activity was not a programme or promotional concept. “In connection with the circulating video at the Newport booth during The Sounds Project music festival on Sunday (9/8), Newport extends its apologies to all Muslims, religious leaders, and the entire Indonesian community for the incident that caused discomfort, hurt, and public uproar,” Handoko said in a statement on Tuesday (11/8). “Newport needs to clarify that the activity was not a programme, promotional concept, challenge, or directive created or planned by Newport. The activity emerged spontaneously from visitors at the location,” he added. Handoko also acknowledged a weakness in on-site supervision, expressing regret that the situation was not handled properly when the incident occurred. “Newport deeply regrets that the situation was not handled as it should have been at the time of the incident. We regret the weakness in supervising visitors who were able to take over the microphone from the MC on the field, allowing actions inconsistent with the religious values, beliefs, culture, and customs upheld by the community to occur,” he said. Newport stressed that it respects religious values and the sensitivities within Indonesian society, emphasising that respect for these values is paramount in all of the company’s activities and interactions with the public.