Vice President: Determination Of Panji Gumilang Suspect Of Blasphemy Of Religion Is The Answer To Community Anxiety

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin/PHOTO BETWEEN HO BPMI SETWAPRES

JAKARTA - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin stated that the determination of the head of the Al-Zaytun Panji Gumilang Islamic Boarding School as a suspect in the alleged blasphemy case had answered the public's concerns.

"I think it has been answered (community disputes)," said Vice President Ma'ruf Amin at the vice president's official residence, Jakarta, as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, August 2.

According to Vice President Ma'ruf, the government has handed over to the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD in handling the case.

"I think I have submitted it to him (Mahfud MD) and I have explained," he added.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD at the same location said the government ensured that the education process at the Al-Zaytun Islamic Boarding School would continue after Panji Gumilang was named a suspect by the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Police.

"So, the message will be saved, we will continue to run, but the crime will continue," said Mahfud.

The Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police is currently detaining Panji Gumilang for 20 days from August 2 to August 21, 2023.

"If he is detained, the criminal threat requirement is more than five years, then maybe he is worried that it will make it difficult for him to investigate, maybe repeat or continue his actions and destroy evidence," said Mahfud.

Investigators ensnared Panji Gumilang with multiple articles, namely Article 14 paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 1946 concerning Criminal Law Regulations where the threat is 10 years.

Then Article 45 a paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 28 paragraph (2) of Law Number 19 of 2016 concerning amendments and Law Number 11 of 2008 concerning ITE with a threat of six years and Article 156 a of the Criminal Code with a threat of five years.

The head of the Al-Zaytun Islamic Boarding School, Panji Gumilang, is considered to have taught heretical teachings because, among other things, praying between men and women can be joined in one row, allowing adultery and sin to be redeemed for money, and will establish Christian pesantren. Panji Gumilang also gave a speech by admitting that he was in the form of communism.