Holywings Fires 6 Suspects In Muhammad-Maria Alcohol Promotion Case Who Suspected Of Blaspheming Religion

One of the Holywings branches in Kemang, The Garrison, was sealed by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, Tuesday (28/6/2022). (ANTARA/Luthfia Miranda Putri)

JAKARTA - The management of Holywings Bar and Restaurant said that six employees who were named as suspects related to the promotion of free alcoholic beverages with SARA nuances had been dismissed.

"Holywings' management took firm action with the sanction of dismissal and completely handed over legal matters to the Police to carry out the process according to the law," said General Manager Operations Holywings, Yuli Setiawan, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, June 29.

Six Holywings employees were named suspects and later fired, namely the creative director, promotion team leader, promotional design maker, social media admin, social media staff and promotion team admin.

Regarding the promotion, Yuli stated that the management did not know about the promo materials, including those that were published on social media. The management only found out after the promotion appeared on social media.

Yuli explained that at that time the management received a report from customer service regarding this problem.

"So indeed on that day, June 23, the management was very surprised, why did the names appear, Muhammad and Maria," said Yuli.

After that, the management immediately requested that the upload be removed (takedown). He also emphasized that his party had never named drinks or bottles with certain names.

In the future, Yuli stated, Holywings management promises to be more thorough and careful regarding promotions including on social media so that similar incidents do not happen again.

Previously, an alcoholic drink promotion upload from Holywings sparked controversy after it went viral on social media. In the promotion, it is stated that those named "Muhamad" and "Maria" can get one free bottle of alcoholic drink every Thursday provided they bring an identity card.

Holywings Indonesia then expressed an open apology regarding the promotion of the free alcoholic drink.

Police named six Holywings staff as suspects. They were charged with Article 16 Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the ITE Law, Article 156a of the Criminal Code, Article 28 Paragraph 2 of the ITE Law, and Article 55 of the Criminal Code with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.