Police Name Four Suspects in Quran Memorisation Challenge for Alcohol Case

Police have disclosed the roles of four suspects in an alleged blasphemy case involving a challenge to recite Quranic verses in exchange for alcoholic drinks at The Sounds Project in Ancol, North Jakarta. Director of General Criminal Investigation at Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Iman Imanuddin, stated that the four suspects are identified by the initials RES, AK, I, and M. RES, who served as the master of ceremonies at the booth, is suspected of being involved in the interaction at the location. Meanwhile, suspects I and AK allegedly challenged visitors to recite Surah Al-Ikhlas and Surah Ad-Dhuha in return for a bottle of alcoholic beverage. Suspect M then appeared and recited Surah Ad-Dhuha over a loudspeaker. During the investigation, police have examined five complainants and several witnesses, including the area management, event organisers, and individuals present at the scene. Investigators have also seized five flash disks containing digital recordings and the clothing worn by RES and AK during the incident. The investigation is being expanded to examine The Sounds Project organisers, booth staff, and the company associated with the beverage product. Iman stated that the inquiry will also involve digital forensic experts, Islamic religious experts from the Indonesian Ulema Council and the Ministry of Religious Affairs, linguists, criminal law experts, and experts to test the alcohol content of the drinks. Following their designation as suspects, RES and AK have been detained at the Polda Metro Jaya detention centre for the next 20 days starting Thursday. Legal proceedings against the other two suspects are ongoing according to procedure. The suspects are charged under Article 300 and/or Article 301 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, as amended by Law Number 1 of 2026 concerning Criminal Adjustments. The incident, which occurred during the festival on Sunday, went viral on social media after visitors recorded the moment at a booth where a challenge was issued to recite a Quranic surah in exchange for a bottle of the promoted beverage. The event organisers issued a statement expressing anger and disappointment, asserting that the incident occurred without their direction, approval, or control. The MC at the booth also issued a public apology via social media, acknowledging negligence in managing the situation and calling it a spontaneous act by the audience. Newport management further apologised for the disturbance, clarifying that the activity was not part of any planned programme or promotion and expressing regret over the lapse in supervision that allowed actions contrary to religious and cultural values to occur.