Jakarta’s ethnic Chinese leader questioned by police after violent hardline protests

Reading Time:2 minutes

Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known by his nickname Ahok. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:10pm, 7 Nov 2016Updated: 5:10pm, 7 Nov 2016

Indonesian police on Monday questioned Jakarta’s Christian governor for allegedly insulting Islam, after the accusations sparked a violent mass protest by hardliners in the Muslim-majority country.

We will show the public our professionalism

Police spokesman Agus Rianto

Friday’s demonstration started peacefully but descended into chaos as night fell with protesters torching police cars and hurling rocks and bottles in the heart of the capital, as they demanded the leader be jailed for blasphemy.

Scores of police officers were injured and one man died amid the clashes close to the presidential palace, reportedly after tear gas fired by authorities triggered an asthma attack.

The protest involving tens of thousands of hardliners was sparked by accusations governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian and a member of Indonesia’s ethnic Chinese minority, insulted the Koran during campaigning for elections for the Jakarta governorship.

He said his opponents were using a Koranic verse which suggests Muslims should not choose non-Muslims as leaders in order to trick people into voting against him.

Police had already launched the investigation into Purnama, known by his nickname Ahok, before Friday’s protest after Muslim groups accused him of breaking the country’s tough blasphemy laws.