Police to Question Event Organiser and MC Over Qur'an Memorisation Challenge for Alcohol

Police have scheduled an examination of the event organiser (EO) and master of ceremonies (MC) linked to a promotional activity suspected of using a Qur’an memorisation challenge to promote alcoholic beverages at The Sounds Project music festival in Ancol, North Jakarta. The Head of Public Relations for the Metro Jaya Regional Police, Commissioner Budi Hermanto, stated that the examination is scheduled for today, Tuesday, 11 August 2026, at the North Jakarta Metro Police. “Today, Tuesday, 11 August 2026, investigators have scheduled a clarification session for the event’s EO and MC,” Budi said when confirmed. Following the examination, Budi mentioned that investigators will conduct a case review to determine whether there are any criminal elements in the incident. “Subsequently, investigators will complete the investigation administration and hold a case review,” he said. Budi also stated that the police are open to receiving reports from parties who feel aggrieved by the incident. The viral event reportedly took place at one of the sponsor booths during The Sounds Project music festival, which was held over the weekend, on Sunday, 9 August, in Jakarta. The festival itself ran for three days over the weekend in Ancol, North Jakarta, from 7 to 9 August 2026. In a viral video, an audience member recorded a moment at a product booth where a challenge was issued to recite the Ad-Duha chapter of the Qur’an in exchange for a bottle of the promoted alcoholic beverage. The post drew a wave of criticism from netizens who deemed the marketing stunt completely unethical and disrespectful. The central Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) asserted that the act cannot be justified from any standpoint, particularly religious. The MUI’s Fatwa Chairman, Prof. KH Asrorun Niam Sholeh, stated that the marketing gimmick combining a holy Qur’anic verse with alcoholic beverages violates religious order, moral ethics, and applicable law. “This action cannot be justified, whether religiously, morally, ethically, or legally. The perpetrators must be held accountable for their actions,” Niam stressed. Meanwhile, the organisers of The Sounds Project issued a statement on their official Instagram account, expressing anger and disappointment. They confirmed the incident occurred at a sponsor’s booth and was completely outside their direction, approval, or control. The MC at the booth, Revnaldo Ega, also issued a public apology via social media, stating the action was a spontaneous act by an audience member and acknowledging his negligence in controlling the situation. Official comment from the booth’s sponsor, Newport, has not yet been obtained.