Despite former Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama already in jail serving his two-year sentence for blasphemy, he is still being attacked by his critics and opponents, some of whom are using outright lies to discredit him.
One hoax story that has gone viral on social media lately is the allegation that Ahok is being given special treatment at the Mako Brimob prison, where he is being allowed to leave his cell and take part in leisurely activities. The “proof” of this hoax comes in a photograph of Ahok swimming in the sea, supposedly taken recently during an event hosted by the Hanura party, which supported Ahok’s bid for reelection.
Ahok’s lawyer Teguh Samudra shot down the hoax, saying that those who spread it have so much hate for his client.
“That’s what makes Pak Ahok so great. Even in prison, his envious and spiteful opponents are still scared of him,” Teguh said, as quoted by Kompas yesterday.
Kompas has proof that the special treatment for Ahok story is indeed a hoax. The photo was actually taken by their photographer Fabian Januarius Kuwado in 2014, when Ahok, then vice governor of Jakarta, went back to his hometown of Belitung island for holiday. The story where the photo originally appeared can be read here.
Ahok has largely kept a low profile since he was jailed in May. According to his lawyers, he spends his time in prison productively, learning Mandarin, kung fu, and replying to fan mail among other things.
Despite this story being proven as a hoax, special treatment for convicts who can afford it is quite the norm in Indonesia’s notoriously corrupt prisons. The latest such discovery happened in June, when officials found a “luxury prison” at East Jakarta’s Cipinang Prison, complete with wi-fi, AC, and even an aquarium.
