Ahok, godson to Muslims, gives emotional defence at his blasphemy trial
The embattled governor of Jakarta emotionally told his trial for blasphemy that his own godparents had been Muslims and it would not be possible for him to insult the religion.
Jewel Topsfield is Fairfax's Indonesia correspondent. She is an award-winning journalist who has been with Fairfax Media for 10 years. Most recently, she was education editor at The Age for five years. Prior to that she was the launch deputy editor of the National Times, Fairfax’s online opinion site. She also spent three years in the Canberra Press Gallery covering immigration, education, the environment and water.
The embattled governor of Jakarta emotionally told his trial for blasphemy that his own godparents had been Muslims and it would not be possible for him to insult the religion.
High school students in Central Java were recently asked this question in a test: "What is the name of the current gubernatorial candidate who insulted the Koran?"
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One of Indonesia's most senior ministers has called on Australia to help find a solution to the 2009 Montara oil spill which caused lasting negative impacts in one of the country's poorest provinces.
Police have revealed predawn arrests on Friday were aimed at preventing opponents of the president using protests to topple the government.
Thousands gather in Jakarta for the latest rally demanding the city's Chinese Christian governor be jailed for his alleged insult to the Koran.
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