After 63 Questions for Pandji Pragiwaksono, the Metro Police is Now Entering the Expert Examination Stage

JAKARTA - Polda Metro Jaya will continue to handle the case that dragged comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono by examining a number of experts after the person concerned was first questioned by investigators.

Head of Public Relations of the Metro Jaya Police, Kombes Budi Hermanto, said that the expert examination was a continuation after investigators collected information from related parties.

"The next step, investigators will conduct expert examinations," said Budi in Jakarta, Antara, Monday, February 9.

According to Budi, after all the series of fact-finding were deemed sufficient, investigators would hold a case to determine the direction of handling the case.

"The title of the case is carried out to assess whether the event meets the elements of a crime and can be upgraded to the investigation stage or not," he said.

However, Budi did not specify who the experts would be examined or the schedule for the examination. He only mentioned that so far 27 people have been questioned, including the reporter, witnesses, and the reported.

Previously, Pandji Pragiwaksono had been examined by investigators from the Polda Metro Jaya on Friday, February 6. During the examination, investigators asked a total of 63 questions to the comedian.

"It started at around 10.30. There were 63 questions, it just ended," said Pandji's lawyer, Haris Azhar, when met at the Metro Jaya Police Headquarters.

Haris explained that the questions asked by investigators were related to Pandji's personal data, the implementation of activities, and a number of video clips from the stand-up comedy show titled Mens Rea which contained Pandji's statements.

In addition, investigators also asked a number of other topics, including prayers, two community organizations that received mining concessions, and events in West Java.

"But if you go back to the report, the report is only about the alleged blasphemy," said Haris.

Pandji himself admitted that he had tried to answer all the questions of the investigators as best he could. He emphasized that he did not feel that he was committing blasphemy as reported.

"I am in a position where I do not feel that I am committing blasphemy. So the process went quite smoothly, the question was answered, and we just follow the process," said Pandji.