The latest session of Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s blasphemy trial is taking place today and the main bullet point of discussion is that Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab will be testifying against Ahok as an “expert” witness.
As the figurehead of the anti-Ahok movement that stood at the forefront of the massive protest rallies against the governor for his alleged insult against the Quran, Rizieq was also one of the people that originally reported Ahok to the police for blasphemy.
We’re not Indonesian legal historians, but it may be the first time in history that an “expert” testifying for the prosecution in a blasphemy case has also been a suspect in a case of defamation (in Rizieq’s case, against founding father Sukarno and the state ideology of Pancasila) as well as under investigation for blasphemy (Rizieq has been reported for insulting Christianity during one of his sermons).
Despite the fact that the FPI leader has led an aggressive movement to have Ahok imprisoned for blasphemy, Rizieq’s lawyers warned the governor’s legal team not to “intimidate” their client on the witness stand.
“We urge all parties to avoid intimidation, pressure and other unlawful treatment of Habib Rizieq Shihab,” said Herdiansyah, the deputy chairman of Avokat Cinta Tanah Air (ACTA), the legal group representing Rizieq and several other high-ranking members of FPI and other hardline organizations, at a press conference yesterday as quoted by Republika.
ACTA said they were afraid that Ahok’s lawyers would bully and intimidate Rizieq as they had with Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) chairman Ma’ruf Amin, who testified against Ahok in a previous court session. While on the stand, Ahok’s lawyer Humphrey Djemat suggested that Ma’ruf was lying about a phone call in which former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono asked the MUI head to issue the blasphemy fatwa against Ahok.
The ACTA lawyers said that they were ready to report Ahok’s team to the Judicial Commission if they tried to intimidate Rizieq. They said that the FPI leader and witnesses in general should be given a wide berth by opposing counsel while testifying, even if they were lying on the stand, because they would eventually face other legal ramifications.
“Let (the witnesses) provide the broadest testimony, according to what is sworn in. Even if they lie, there are legal consequences. No need for intimidation,” Herdiansyah said.
Hmm, wonder why they would be so worried about Rizieq getting caught in a lie? Perhaps it has something to do with Ahok’s lawyers saying they have a “surprise” ready for the FPI leader today? We can’t wait to find out what it is.
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