The Asian Yearbook of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

The Alternative Concepts of Blasphemy Law in Indonesia: Legal Comparison with Ireland and Canada

“…On the other hand, unlike the offence of religious deviation under Article 1, the offence of religious defamation does not need the prior administrative warning for the individuals to be prosecuted. (Rehman & Shahid, 2018) The prohibition of religious defamation is regulated under Article 4 with the maximum penalty of five years imprisonment. This article specifically mandates that the provision will be added to the Indonesian Criminal Code.…”

“…They felt that the results implied that Arswendo and nine other people in the list above Prophet Muhammad were considered better than the Prophet, thereby insulting Islam. (Rehman & Shahid, 2018) Arswendo was then taken to trial and accused of blasphemy. In his defence, Arswendo declared that he did not have any intention to insult Prophet Muhammad by the polling.…”

“…According to the Indonesia Forum of United Muslims (FUIB) which reported the case, his statements offended Muslims Lately, Sukmawati Soekarnoputri, a politician, and the daughter of Soekarno Indonesia's founding father created religious turmoil after reading her poem titled 'Ibu Indonesia' (Mother Indonesia). (Rehman & Shahid, 2018) The poem triggered the Islamic group to report her to the police for alleged blasphemy. In her poem, she declared that the konde (the traditional Indonesian bun) is more beautiful than the niqab and the Indonesian ballad is more melodious than the adzan (the Islamic praying call) Previously, in May 2017, Jakarta's former governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as Ahok, was sentenced to two years imprisonment for blasphemy against Islam.…”