Police Question Sound Project Management Over Ad-Duha Recitation Challenge for Alcohol
Polda Metro Jaya has questioned the management of the Sound Project music festival organiser to investigate an alleged criminal offence against religion and belief that occurred at Ecopark Ancol, North Jakarta. Director of General Criminal Investigation at Polda Metro Jaya, Senior Commissioner Iman Imanuddin, said the examination of the management was conducted to uncover the chronology and the organiser’s connection to the challenge of reciting Surah Ad-Duha with an alcoholic drink as a prize.
“Last night, we conducted an examination and took statements from the organiser and the brand owner. We have also identified the person who carried out the challenge,” Iman said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday (12/8/2026).
Based on initial statements from the management and preliminary investigation results, the act was not part of the official event programme designed by the organiser. “Based on information obtained from our investigation, the individual is suspected to be a visitor who attended. The visitor then took the microphone and spontaneously carried out the challenge,” Iman said.
Although initial indications point to a spontaneous act by a visitor, investigators are still examining the management’s statements, event documents, and activities at the beverage outlet at the festival site to determine whether there was any element of negligence. Investigators have also coordinated with the management of the Ecopark Ancol area and Pademangan Police to align the organiser’s statements with facts on the ground during the event on Sunday (9/8/2026).
“With or without pressure, we have proactively carried out investigative efforts. If the examination reports of witnesses and investigative findings reveal criminal elements, we will of course take firm legal action,” Iman said.
The act, he continued, could potentially be charged under Article 300 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, depending on the results of further examination of witnesses and evidence. Meanwhile, Head of Public Relations at Polda Metro Jaya, Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto, asked the public to entrust the handling of the case to the police 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. Entrust the handling of this case to investigators. We will convey every development transparently,” Budi stressed.