Polda Metro Jaya Names 4 Suspects in Religious Blasphemy Challenge of Memorizing the Quran with a Reward of Inheritance

Director of Criminal Investigation of the Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Iman Imanuddin (left). ANTARA/Ilham Kausar.

JAKARTA - Polda Metro Jaya has named four people as suspects in a case of alleged blasphemy related to a Quran memorization challenge with a prize of liquor (miras) at an alcoholic beverage booth during the The Sounds Project music festival at Eco Park Ancol, North Jakarta.

Who is the suspect of the Quran memorization challenge with a reward of liquor?

Director of Criminal Investigation of the Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Iman Imanuddin, said the four suspects had initials RES, AK, I, and M.

Two suspects, namely initials RES and AK, have been detained for the first 20 days at the Metro Jaya Police detention house (rutan).

"Based on the series of investigations and evidence obtained, investigators have named four suspects. The suspects RES and AK were arrested on Wednesday (12/8) and detained for 20 days at the Metro Jaya Police Detention Center (prison) starting today," said Iman as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, August 13.

The State Security Sub-Directorate of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Polda Metro Jaya received five reports from the public on Tuesday (11/8). The incident of the Quran memorization challenge with a reward of liquor occurred on Sunday (9/8) at around 22.30 WIB.

Who is the RES suspect of the Quran memorization challenge with a reward of liquor?

Based on the results of the initial investigation, the suspect RES is a host who allegedly guided the interaction in front of the booth.

Who is the giver of the Quran memorization challenge with a reward of liquor?

According to the Polda Metro Jaya, the suspects I and AK challenged visitors to recite Surah Al-Ikhlas and Surah Ad-Dhuha in exchange for a bottle of alcoholic beverage or liquor.

The suspect M then appeared to recite Surah Ad-Dhuha using a loudspeaker.

In this case, the investigators of the Polda Metro Jaya secured evidence in the form of five flash drives containing digital video recordings as well as clothes used by the RES and AK suspects during the incident.

The police have also examined five reporters and a number of witnesses from the Ancol area management, event organizers, and witnesses at the scene.

In the development of the case, investigators plan to examine the event organizers, booth officers, and the beverage manufacturer.

The investigation also involved digital forensic experts, Islamic experts from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and the Ministry of Religion, language experts, criminal law experts, and experts to test the alcohol content.

What article was the suspect of the Quran memorization challenge with a reward of liquor charged with?

The suspects were charged with Article 300 and/or Article 301 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP) as amended by Law Number 1 of 2026.

What is Article 300 of the Criminal Code?

Details of Article 300 of the Criminal Code

Article (1): Threatening imprisonment for a maximum of 3 (three) years or a maximum fine of Category IV for anyone who publicly commits acts of hostility, expresses hatred, or incites violence or discrimination against religion, belief, class, or community groups on the basis of religion or belief in Indonesia.

What is Article 301 of the Criminal Code?

(1) Threatening imprisonment for a maximum of 5 (five) years or a maximum fine of Category V for anyone who broadcasts, exhibits, attaches a written/picture, or plays a recording (including through information technology) containing the crime of defamation or religious hostility as referred to in Article 300 with the intention of being known to the public.