Quran Challenge for Alcohol at Jakarta Festival: Police Identify Suspect

Authorities in Jakarta have identified a festival attendee as the person suspected of proposing a Quran memorization challenge in exchange for alcoholic beverages at the recent "The Sounds Project" music festival. The incident, which occurred on August 9 in North Jakarta, quickly went viral on social media.

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Based on the information obtained from our preliminary investigation, the person concerned is suspected of being a visitor who came. The visitor then took the microphone and spontaneously did the challenge.

According to Kombes Iman Imanuddin, Director of the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, the suspect allegedly approached a microphone at the festival and spontaneously initiated the challenge. "Based on the information obtained from our preliminary investigation, the person concerned is suspected of being a visitor who came. The visitor then took the microphone and spontaneously did the challenge," Imanuddin stated.

Investigators have obtained the identity of the individual and plan to question them as part of the ongoing probe. However, police have not yet disclosed the suspect's name, citing the active nature of the investigation. Imanuddin indicated that the case could potentially fall under Article 300 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, though the specific charges will depend on the outcome of the investigation, witness testimonies, and collected evidence.

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Investigators have identified the person and will secure them for examination purposes. However, the police have not yet revealed their identity because the investigation process is still ongoing.

As of now, no one has been officially named a suspect. The police are urging the public to remain calm and allow investigators to handle the matter professionally and objectively. Kabid Humas Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Budi Hermanto emphasized the importance of not being provoked and refraining from spreading unverified information or video clips, promising transparent updates based on legal facts.

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We are urging the public not to be provoked and to give investigators space to handle this case professionally, objectively, and in accordance with legal provisions.

The festival organizers, The Sounds Project, have issued a statement condemning the behavior. "As event organizers, we are also angry, disappointed, and condemn such behavior. We have never, and will never, condone behavior that uses religion as material for challenges or product promotions in any form," the official statement read.

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As event organizers, we are also angry, disappointed, and condemn such behavior. We have never, and will never, condone behavior that uses religion as material for challenges or product promotions in any form.