JAKARTA • Jakarta police chief Mochamad Iriawan yesterday asked the North Jakarta District Court to postpone sentencing demands against incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as Ahok, until after the election run-off.

In an official letter obtained by The Jakarta Post, Inspector-General Iriawan said that based on intelligence reports and observation, proceeding with the trial might further stoke tensions ahead of voting day.

Basuki, a Chinese Christian, has been charged with blasphemy for allegedly insulting Islam.

He is facing the run-off election against former education and culture minister Anies Baswedan.

The election is slated for April 19.

THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK