"JAKARTA: The family of Jakarta's jailed Christian governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama unexpectedly withdrew an appeal against his conviction and two-year jail term for blasphemy on Monday (May 22), after it was submitted by his lawyers just hours earlier.
Purnama, popularly known as Ahok, was jailed earlier this month for insulting the Quran, a shock decision that has stoked concern about rising religious intolerance in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country.
Lawyers for Purnama on Monday filed documents for his appeal to a Jakarta court - but said later that the governor's family turned up and asked for it not to go ahead.
"The family have their own considerations and withdrew the appeal," lawyer Ronny Talapessy told AFP, adding he could not disclose the reason for the withdrawal.
Purnama's sentence was widely criticised as too harsh after prosecutors had demanded that he be given just two years' probation. Prosecutors in the case have already filed an appeal against the decision to jail Purnama."
This is a great gesture by the family. It is good given that the prosecutors r already appealing against this widely perceived as excessive n unfathomable.
Hopefully it will be spanned into something bigger. Like Ahok is forfeiting the appeal for the sake of peace n harmony for the country. That the radical n extremists must be stopped from using this "blasphemy" charge to continue to stir the emotion of their followers. That the moderate Muslim scholars n cleric n followers must harp on this gesture n that the nation should endorse n applaud this.
Is this why the family if Ahok had in mind? Or just me fantasizing?
ps: our million dollared MOS or SMOS Dr Koh stated that the government will form a task force to implement the "control of out of control" formulae milk powders saga!! Real? Seriously? I thot the newly minted Minister Yep commented that" "Milk is milk!!" Dah!!
Purnama, popularly known as Ahok, was jailed earlier this month for insulting the Quran, a shock decision that has stoked concern about rising religious intolerance in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country.
Lawyers for Purnama on Monday filed documents for his appeal to a Jakarta court - but said later that the governor's family turned up and asked for it not to go ahead.
"The family have their own considerations and withdrew the appeal," lawyer Ronny Talapessy told AFP, adding he could not disclose the reason for the withdrawal.
Purnama's sentence was widely criticised as too harsh after prosecutors had demanded that he be given just two years' probation. Prosecutors in the case have already filed an appeal against the decision to jail Purnama."
This is a great gesture by the family. It is good given that the prosecutors r already appealing against this widely perceived as excessive n unfathomable.
Hopefully it will be spanned into something bigger. Like Ahok is forfeiting the appeal for the sake of peace n harmony for the country. That the radical n extremists must be stopped from using this "blasphemy" charge to continue to stir the emotion of their followers. That the moderate Muslim scholars n cleric n followers must harp on this gesture n that the nation should endorse n applaud this.
Is this why the family if Ahok had in mind? Or just me fantasizing?
ps: our million dollared MOS or SMOS Dr Koh stated that the government will form a task force to implement the "control of out of control" formulae milk powders saga!! Real? Seriously? I thot the newly minted Minister Yep commented that" "Milk is milk!!" Dah!!
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