Jakarta. Consumer goods company Orang Tua Group (OT Group) has apologized to Muslims after a promotion at a music event in Jakarta offered alcohol as a prize for participants who could recite a Quranic chapter, prompting protests and a police investigation.

OT Group Operations Director Handoko delivered the apology Friday in front of hundreds of protesters from the Forum Betawi Rempug (FBR), a local community organization, who gathered outside the company's office in Rawa Buaya, West Jakarta.

“I sincerely apologize, especially to Muslims, over the alleged religious blasphemy,” Handoko told the protesters.

He said the case was now being handled by law enforcement and urged all parties to await the outcome of the legal process.

The protest was sparked by a promotion at a booth for Newport, an alcoholic beverage brand under OT Group, during The Sounds Project music event in Ancol, North Jakarta, which later circulated widely on social media.

According to protesters, an emcee at the booth challenged visitors to recite Surah Ad-Duha from the Quran in exchange for a free bottle of alcohol.

FBR West Jakarta coordinator Mujamil said the promotion had crossed a line by involving a religious text in the marketing of an alcoholic product.

“This is a matter of faith, so I have to get involved,” Mujamil said during the protest.

He urged OT Group not to repeat similar incidents, saying the promotion had offended Muslims.

The demonstration also disrupted traffic around the company's office, with congestion reported along the Ring Road, particularly on the route from Cengkareng toward Kembangan.

The controversy has also resulted in arrests. Two people identified by police only by their initials, R and E, were detained at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police detention center on Thursday after undergoing nearly 20 hours of questioning by investigators.

The two suspects were escorted to the detention center wearing prison vests after completing the questioning. 

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