Police examine event management over alleged blasphemy in Ancol

The Metro Jaya Regional Police have examined the management of the Sound Project music festival organiser to investigate a case of alleged criminal acts against religion and belief that occurred at Ecopark Ancol, North Jakarta.

Director of General Criminal Investigation at Metro Jaya Police, Senior Commissioner Iman Imanuddin, stated that the examination of the management was conducted to explore the chronology and the organiser’s connection to the act of challenging attendees to recite Surah Ad-Duha in exchange for alcoholic beverages.

“Last night, we examined and took statements from the organiser and the brand owner. We have also identified the individual who carried out the challenge,” Iman said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Based on initial statements from the management and the results of the preliminary investigation, the act was not part of the official event programme designed by the organiser.

“According to information obtained from our investigation, the individual concerned is suspected to be a visitor who attended. The visitor then took the microphone and spontaneously carried out the challenge,” Iman stated.

Investigators have also coordinated with the management of the Ecopark Ancol area and the Pademangan Police Sector to align the organiser’s statements with the facts on the ground during the event, which took place on Sunday (9/8).

“With or without pressure, we have proactively undertaken investigative efforts. If the official examination reports of the witnesses and the investigation findings reveal criminal elements, we will certainly enforce the law firmly,” Iman said.

He added that the act could potentially be charged under Article 300 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, depending on the results of the in-depth examination of witnesses and evidence.

Meanwhile, Head of Public Relations for Metro Jaya Police, Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto, urged the public to trust the police to handle the case and not be easily provoked by social media posts.

“We urge the public not to be provoked and not to spread unverified information or video clips. Trust the investigators to handle this case. We will convey every development transparently,” Budi asserted.