Newport apologizes after Quran recitation challenge for alcohol prizes at Jakarta festival
A viral video showing a Quran recitation challenge for alcohol prizes at The Sounds Project music festival in Jakarta has sparked widespread condemnation and legal action. The incident occurred at a booth for the alcohol brand Newport.
Newport Director Handoko Sasongko and the festival organizers have issued apologies, stating the activity was not an official promotion but a spontaneous act by a visitor. The event's MC, Ega, admitted negligence in failing to reclaim the microphone during the incident.
Religious organizations, including the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and JATMAN DKI Jakarta, have condemned the act as religious blasphemy and a degradation of the Quran's sanctity. The Ministry of Religious Affairs emphasized that the issue transcends halal or haram concerns, touching on fundamental ethics and respect for holy symbols.
Legal repercussions are unfolding as a Muslim legal team has reported at least five parties to the Metro Jaya Police, including Newport, the festival organizers, and the MCs involved. Additionally, the Indonesian Muslim Consumer Foundation (YKMI) has called on the Ministry of Trade to revoke Newport's distribution permits.
Entities
Handoko Sasongko · Indonesia · JATMAN DKI Jakarta · Jakarta · Majelis Ulama Indonesia · Ministry of Religious Affairs · Newport · The Sound Project · The Sounds Project
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Ministry of Religious Affairs stated the incident was a matter of ethics and respect for the Quran, not just a question of halal or haram. khazanah.republika.co.id
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Sounds Project organizers condemned the behavior and stated they never approved religious-themed promotional activities. www.viva.co.id · bengkulu.tribunnews.com · women.okezone.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The event MC, Ega, admitted negligence for failing to reclaim the microphone after a visitor used it to start the challenge. www.gelora.co · www.inews.id · bengkulu.tribunnews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Indonesian Muslim Consumer Foundation (YKMI) urged the Ministry of Trade to revoke Newport's distribution permit. www.jpnn.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] JATMAN DKI Jakarta urged police to investigate whether the company intentionally planned the religious-themed promotion. khazanah.republika.co.id
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Pademangan Police have launched an investigation into the viral video to gather evidence and facts. www.liputan6.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) stated that using Quranic recitation as a gimmick for alcohol promotion is morally, ethically, and legally indefensible. www.cnbcindonesia.com · khazanah.republika.co.id
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A legal team reported at least five parties to the Metro Jaya Police regarding the Quran recitation challenge. www.liputan6.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Newport stated the Quran recitation challenge was a spontaneous act by a visitor and not an official brand promotion. khazanah.republika.co.id · bengkulu.tribunnews.com · women.okezone.com