Police Expand Probe into Quran Memorisation Challenge for Alcohol Beyond Two Suspects

The North Jakarta Metropolitan Resort Police are conducting an in-depth examination of two suspected perpetrators in the case of a Newport alcoholic beverage promotion disguised as a Quran memorisation challenge at The Sounds Project music festival arena in Ancol, North Jakarta. The two suspected perpetrators, identified by the initials R (female) and E (male), were arrested after a video of their actions at the Newport booth went viral and triggered public unrest on social media. “We are still carrying out a deeper examination of the woman with the initials R and the man with the initials E. Once there is a determination of suspects, it will be released again later,” said Acting North Jakarta Metro Police Chief, Senior Commissioner Oki Waskito, in Jakarta on Wednesday. Oki confirmed that the two people arrested are Jakarta residents and were confirmed to be at the scene as recorded in the video. However, police have not yet detailed the exact roles of R and E, whether they acted as master of ceremonies or festival visitors. For their actions, investigators have charged the two suspected perpetrators under Article 300 and/or Article 301 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the new Criminal Code, which regulates criminal acts of hostility or hatred against religion, as well as incitement or coercion to be non-religious. Oki stressed that the examination process at the North Jakarta Metro Police Headquarters is still developing and does not rule out the possibility of targeting other parties involved in organising the event.