Gus Nur's Shocking Confession Of Being Wronged By Officials And Being Unable To Pray, Central Java Regional Police Gives An Explanation

Video screencapture of Gus Nur made the confession being persecuted by the authorities in detention

SEMARANG - The figure of Sugik Nur Raharja (49) or known as Gus Nur, again made a controversial statement. In a Snack Video show uploaded by Aldaahmad's account, Sugik Nur admitted that he was abused while being detained by the National Police, including while undergoing detention at the Central Java Regional Police Detention Center.

Allegedly, Sugik Nur's statement was conveyed after participating in a trial as a suspect for defamation (accused of President Jokowi's fake diploma) on January 31, 2023, at the Surakarta District Court.

In the video, Sugik Nur admits that he was wronged because when he was detained at the Central Java Police Detention Center, he could not call his wife and children for 12 days. He also admitted that he had been transferred to a cramped detention cell so he couldn't stretch out.

"Together with 9 drug detainees. (They) don't understand defecation, ablution, BAB Thaharah (purification). The bathroom stinks. That's evil," said Sugik Nur alias Gus Nur, a resident of Pakis, Malang Regency, East Java.

Gus Nur got a proper place to worship/ Photo: Central Java Regional Police

Admitting that he was not strong enough, Gus Nur revealed that he asked to be moved to another cell because he could not stand the smell of urine and so he could freely pray in congregation.

"I was then moved to a room that was not locked, but I paid! Pay IDR 100,000 every day to the head of the room, not the officer (police). I don't know where the money has gone. I paid, so I can pray. Isn't that unfair," he said.

After being moved to a new cell, Gus Nur admitted that he could pray and was often appointed as a preacher.

"How come khatib was made a suspect in blasphemy," he said again.

Regarding this statement, the Head of Public Relations of the Central Java Regional Police, Kombes Pol M Iqbal Alqudusy, said that what was conveyed was far from reality and cornered the police.

He emphasized that Sugik Nur while he was detained at the Central Java Regional Police Detention Center received the same treatment and rights as other detainees, including in matters of worship.

"It's just making it up. Cross-checks have been carried out including CCTV inspections related to brother Sugik Nur Raharja while he was detained at the Central Java Regional Police Detention Center. He was not complicated at all including matters of worship. The treatment was according to SOP, the same as other detainees," said Kabidhumas, Friday, 3 February.

"Including that there are no claims of extortion, based on the results of investigations into officers and fellow detainees," he added.

Gus Nur listening to a preacher lecture in the detention room/Photo: Central Java Regional Police

The Head of Public Relations explained, Sugik Nur Raharja was placed under detention at the Central Java Regional Police detention center by the Surakarta Police from 29 November to 19 December 2022. He was detained with Bambang Tri Mulyono for cases of blasphemy and hate speech.

In contrast to Nur Sugik's statement that he had been in a cell with 9 drug detainees and could not pray, the Head of Public Relations explained that Gus Nur and Bambang Tri had indeed been in the same cell with drug detainees but were still able to pray.

"The total number in the detention cell is five people, not nine. The room is quite spacious and can be used for prayer," he explained

The Kabidhumas revealed that Nur Sugik had been acting up in the cell and asked to be moved on the grounds that he could pray freely. The officers finally moved Nur Sugik and Bambang Tri to another empty detention cell so they could freely chat and pray.

However, in his new detention cell, Nur Sugik again complained to the officers to find another prisoner to chat with. He admitted that he had not spoken to Bambang Tri for three days. The officers accommodated this request and brought two other detainees to his cell.

"However, several days after the other detainees arrived, Brother Sugik Nur even argued with Bambang Tri. The reason was, he was annoyed, because he covered Bambang Tri, he ended up being prosecuted. He then asked to be separated from cells, not to be one with Bambang Tri," he explained

Sugik Nur, then moved again to a new cell. The cell was occupied by him with five other prisoners.

"Until then on December 19, 2022, he and Bambang Tri were then moved to Surakarta to undergo trial for their case," said the Head of Public Relations

During his detention, he said, Sugik Nur was given the right to carry out normal activities with other prisoners such as sports, sunbathing, reading the Koran, and praying in congregation in the detention hall. This includes a schedule of family and attorney visits.

Gus Nur's room during worship/Photo: Central Java Regional Police

Regarding Sugik Nur's claim that he was a khatib during prayers, the Kabidhumas revealed that during the Friday prayers, the Central Java Regional Police Dittahti as the manager of the detention center routinely brought in preachers from outside.

"Khatib Friday invites ustadz or kiai from outside. This is done so that the prisoners' insight increases and there is a variety of speakers," he said.

The Kabidhumas deeply regretted Sugik Nur's controversial statement which he allegedly uttered at the Surakarta District Court. Asked, the public not to be easily instigated.

"In essence, there is no discrimination including extortion. The five daily prayers can also be performed regularly, even in congregation. The claim made by brother Sugik Nur Raharja is not true and does not match the facts," he concluded.