Dian Rahma Fika, Jakarta – The Betawi Bangkit society organization has filed a complaint against Jakarta deputy governor candidate number 1, Suswono, alleging blasphemy. However, the Jakarta Metro Police directed the group to the Integrated Law Enforcement Center (Gakumdu) at the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu).
David Darmawan, the General Chair of Betawi Bangkit, visited the Jakarta Metro Regional Police on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. "The police directed us to Gakumdu Bawaslu," David explained.
According to the Integrated Police Service Center (SPKT) officer, reports related to criminal acts committed by general election participants are handled by Bawaslu.
David spent approximately 40 minutes at the police station, consulting on the matter of reporting Suswono for allegedly insulting Islam.
Although the report was not accepted, David emphasized that the police did not outright reject the report. "It wasn't rejected. We need to go to Bawaslu," he said, adding that Gakumdu Bawaslu includes police officers from the Jakarta Metro Regional Police.
Tempo confirmed with four SPKT officers at the Jakarta Metro Regional Police that the report was not rejected but referred to the appropriate authority.
"It wasn't rejected. If it's a criminal act related to regional or general elections, it's handled by Bawaslu," stated one of the police officers in her office at the Jakarta Metro Regional Police SPKT building on Tuesday evening, October 29th, 2024.
Following the consultation with the police, the Betawi Bangkit group proceeded to Bawaslu. David reiterated his determination to pursue the complaint against Suswono, who is believed to have insulted Prophet Muhammad during a speech about a wealthy widow marrying an unemployed man.
"As a citizen, I will demand accountability. If necessary, he should be detained," David declared.
Suswono's controversial statement was made during a Bang Japar event for the Ridwan Kamil-Suswono campaign on October 26, 2024. While discussing social welfare programs, Suswono suggested that wealthy widows should marry unemployed young men.
He drew a parallel to the marriage of Prophet Muhammad and Khadijah, a wealthy businesswoman. "Remember Khadijah? She was a conglomerate. She married the Prophet, who was then a young man of 25 years old. That's an example of a wealthy widow," Suswono said.
In response to the controversy, Suswono issued a written apology on October 28, 2024. "I realize that my statement has sparked controversy, and I apologize for it," he said.
– Alif Ilham Fajriadi and Advist Khoirunikmah contributed to the writing of this article.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1934873/betawi-group-reports-suswono-to-bawaslu-for-alleged-blasphem