Ahok's Muslim 'brother' to defend the governor

JAKARTA. Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s Muslim godbrother will testify at a hearing in Ahok’s blasphemy trial, Ahok’s lawyer said on Friday.

In his first hearing, Ahok told the judges he had always had a harmonious relationship with Muslims. He said he had Muslim godparents and family who he really loved.

It was his godbrother Andi Analta Amir who paid Ahok’s tuition fees for his Master's degree at Prasetya Mulya University.

Lawyer Fifi Lety said on Friday the team would also present Eko Cahyono, Ahok’s running mate when he ran in the Bangka Belitung gubernatorial election.

"He was present when Gus Dur attended Ahok's campaign," Fifi told The Jakarta Post.

Back in 2007, revered Islamic figure Abdurrahman Wahid, popularly known as "Gus Dur", assisted Ahok in his Bangka Belitung gubernatorial campaign, saying that elections should not be influenced by religious matters.

Golkar Party member Bambang Waluyo Djojohadikusumo is also scheduled to defend Ahok at the hearing.

Bambang heard Ahok's allegedly blasphemous remarks while the governor was on a working visit to Thousand Islands regency in late September.

Earlier in January, during a discussion at Ahok's campaign headquarters "Rumah Lembang" in Menteng, Central Jakarta, Bambang said the residents of Thousand Islands had warmly welcomed the governor. (Callistasia Anggun Wijaya)