Jakarta governor who is charged with blasphemy asks supporters to pray for a fair trial

Jardine Malado Tuesday, December 06, 2016

Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (C), known by his nickname "Ahok", is seen with supporters and members of his legal team outside police headquarters after questioning over blasphemy allegations in Jakarta, Indonesia, November 22, 2016. | Reuters/Iqro Rinaldi

Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama asked his supporters to pray for him so that he would get a fair and transparent trial for the blasphemy case against him.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Purnama expressed his hope that the case would be resolved quickly.

"I ask you to pray for me so that the legal process is fair and transparent, and I hope I can get past this trouble as soon as possible," he said, as reported by The Jakarta Post.

"Therefore, I can use my time to provide better services to Jakarta residents," he continued.

Purnama, who is a known ally of Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, stated that he has surrendered his fate to God.

The governor was named by the National Police as a suspect in the blasphemy case on Nov. 16. The case stems from the statements he made warning Muslims that a Quranic verse is being misused to urge voters not to support him in the coming elections.

Purnama has since apologized for his statement and claimed that his words were taken out of context, but conservative groups have not accepted his apology.

More than 100,000 participated in the protest on Nov. 4 calling for Purnama to be jailed. Another mass protest took place on Dec. 2 which was attended by about 500,000 people.

Purnama's trial will take place in Central Jakarta under the management of the North Jakarta court. If convicted, he could be sentenced to five years imprisonment.

The Attorney General's Office (AGO) stated that it has no plans to detain Purnama during the proceedings but his travel ban remains in place.

"The team tasked with reviewing the case has agreed that it will not be necessary to detain Ahok," said AGO spokesperson Muhammad Rum.

The governor said that he will continue with his campaign and lawyers have stated that he can continue with the election, Straits Times reported. Should he win and be convicted, he can remain in office until there is no longer an option to appeal the case, according to the lawyers.