Police: Two Women in Lebak Apologise and Admit Fault for Stepping on the Qur'an

The Head of Public Relations for Banten Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Maruli Hutapea, stated that the two women in Lebak who became suspects for swearing while stepping on the Qur’an have expressed apologies for their actions.

“The suspects admit (their fault) and apologise,” Maruli told reporters on Tuesday (14/4).

Previously, police investigated the alleged blasphemy case in Lebak involving swearing while stepping on the Qur’an, which went viral some time ago. In the case, police named two women from the video, NT and MT, as suspects and detained them.

Regarding other suspected individuals, including the video recorder, Maruli said investigators are still examining them.

“For now, there are two suspects. And investigators will continue to probe,” he said.

Meanwhile, MT, quoted from a 20detik video news report, claimed she had no intention of stepping on the open Qur’an while swearing. She alleged she did so because she was forced and pressured by those accusing her of theft.

“I did not intend to step on the Qur’an; it was due to pressure and coercion from those people. If I didn’t step on it, I would be considered a thief. I was just defending myself; I didn’t know it would turn out like this,” she said in a video recording quoted earlier this week.

Case Chronology

Previously, a recording of the women swearing while stepping on the Qur’an in Lebak, Banten, went viral on social media last week. Local police intervened to handle the case. From preliminary examinations, the police found that the act of swearing by stepping on the Qur’an by the two women in Lebak stemmed from a dispute over makeup and perfume items.

In this case, police suspect the two women, NR and MT, residents of Sukaraja Village, Malingping Subdistrict, Lebak Regency, of committing blasphemy. Police stated the act occurred on Wednesday (8/4).

The Public Relations Officer of Lebak Police Resort, First Inspector Moestafa Ibnu Syafir, said the case was triggered by an issue involving makeup supplies, such as powder and perfume, ordered online by NR. NR then accused MT of taking her makeup items.

“So, they were actually friends; the salon owner ordered the package and stored it. The owner accused MT, and since she was not satisfied with the admission, she conducted the Qur’an oath,” he explained to reporters on Saturday (11/4), as quoted from detik.com.

Based on examinations conducted by the Lebak Police Resort Criminal Investigation Unit, both have been officially named as suspects and detained. They are charged under the blasphemy article.

“They have been designated as suspects. Yes, immediately detained,” Moestafa said.

Moestafa stated that the two suspects consciously stepped on the Qur’an. Moreover, the way they conducted the oath with the Qur’an was not in accordance with the provisions.

“The way of swearing with the Qur’an is also not like that, and what aggravates it is that the holy book Qur’an, for swearing, should be above the head, not under the feet,” he said.

“They intentionally committed blasphemy. The motive is clear because they know the Qur’an is a holy book, unless they are not Muslim,” he added.

Moestafa advised that if there are disputes over alleged theft, it is better to report them to the police so that similar incidents do not recur.

“Those who ordered and those who carried it out are both at fault; just pursue it legally,” he said.

Regarding this incident, he urged the public to remain calm and not be provoked. He affirmed that Lebak Police Resort has handled the case quickly and transparently.