West Java Regional Police Examined Bahar Bin Smith, Ferdinand: Criminalizing Ulama Is Just Slander, This Is Law Enforcement

Bahar Smith (Photo: DOK ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The West Java Police has scheduled an investigation into Bahar bin Smith regarding the alleged hate speech case. Bahar bin Smith's lawyer, Ichwan Tuankota, when confirmed, stated that his party would fulfill the investigator's summons.

Executive Director of Indonesia Police Monitoring (IPM) Ferdinand Hutahaean said opinions about the criminalization of ulama in this examination must be avoided.

"Criminalization of Ulama is only slander from groups who don't want this nation to be cool, peaceful and calm," explained Ferdinand via his Twitter account @FerdinandHaean3, Monday, January 3.

Ferdinand added that opinion makers about the criminalization of ulama do not really want this nation to be calm and quiet. This opinion has actually cornered the government and the National Police who have worked really hard to tackle criminal cases.

"They always want this nation to be noisy, so criminals must be defended by cornering the Police and the Government. There is no criminalization of ulama with law enforcement," said Ferdinand.

The summons for Bahar bin Smith was carried out after investigators submitted an Investigation Commencement Order (SPDP) on Tuesday, December 28 to Bahar's residence, located in Bogor, West Java.

"God willing, we will attend," said Ichwan Tuankota to VOI, Monday, January 3.

When asked further about the investigation, such as the evidence to be brought to refute the accusation, Ichwan did not explain it.